Laughter filled the field as blindfolded players chased ducks and others tried to climb an oiled banana tree, while spectators clapped and cheered. A village in Kurigram turned festive on Sunday as children, teenagers and men and women of all ages took part in traditional rural games that are fading from Bangladesh’s villages, and for many it was a trip back to childhood.
The day-long event was held on Sunday (8 November) in Daktarpara village of Belgachha union in Kurigram Sadar upazila, organised by Durbar Tarunya Bangladesh with support from the SOS Family Strengthening Programme in Kurigram. People from surrounding villages came from the morning to watch. It ended with a cultural programme and a prize-giving for the winners.
The games included blindfolded duck catching, climbing an oiled banana tree, pillow fights in the water, pot breaking, swimming, a biscuit race, a marble race and a fancy dress contest.
Sohel Hosnain Kaikobad, administrator of the Kurigram district council and member secretary of the district BNP, opened the event as chief guest.
Speakers said sport and cultural activities are essential to keep young people away from drugs, gambling, mobile phone addiction and child marriage. Rural games are not only entertainment but part of the community’s bonds, harmony and heritage, they said, and such events should be held regularly to pass the games on to the new generation.
Former Belgachha union chairman Mahabur Rahman, Sadar upazila BNP members Masudur Rahman Nayan and Rashed-uz-Zaman Babu, SOS Family Strengthening Programme Kurigram project coordinator Mokleshur Rahman, union parishad member Abul Hossain and Durbar Tarunya Bangladesh Kurigram president Rezwanul Haque Nurnobi were among those present.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report