Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The thick, dusty Dhaka air hums with a unique melody as December arrives. Amidst the bustling cityscape, a different rhythm beats within the hearts of the people of Bangladesh. Victory Day is on the 16th of December, winter vacation from schools, and Christmas Day is on the 25th of December.
While the core of the celebration of Christmas remains focused on the birth of Jesus Christ, the festivities weave in the warmth of Bangladeshi hospitality, transcending boundaries of faith.
Step into the grand embrace of the Saint Thomas Cathedral Church, a sentinel of faith since 1821 at the Johnson Road of Old Dhaka. Its towering wooden doors, etched with time's passage, creak open to reveal a vibrant crimson carpet leading to a stage adorned with the Holy Bible and a gleaming cross.
Jalousie windows whisper stories of Christmases past, while epitaphs and inscriptions on the walls speak of the church's rich history and significant figures.
For Peter Mondol, the in charge of the St. Thomas Cathedral, Christmas memories are steeped in the sweetness of his Meherpur village.
"The womenfolk would whip up a feast of traditional winter pithas and sweet dishes, the elderlies used to go for shopping, some used to bring the goats and cows to have a feast on Christmas", he recalls, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia.
Youngsters, their hearts brimming with festive spirit, would band together, dancing and singing carols through the village lanes.
"We used to roam around house to house singing songs, not like today's 'vulgar' songs. Those were melody and harmony, and villagers loved us," said Peter Mondol.
Villagers, touched by their joyous energy, would bless them with rice, flour, sugar, and salt. These gifts would then fuel Christmas picnics or be given as a gesture of charity to the less fortunate.
However, Christmas celebrations in Bangladesh aren't always painted in such vibrant hues. Pijush Rozario, the office assistant of the Holy Cross Hostel, speaks of a different reality. His family, residing in the southeastern part of the country, struggles to meet their daily needs, and the ever-rising prices of essentials cast a shadow on their festive spirit.
"This year, the celebrations won't be as grand as they once were," he admits, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.
But even amidst these challenges, the Bangladeshi Christian community's Christmas spirit shines through. Churches become makeshift marketplaces, buzzing with the sale of homemade Christmas cakes and delicacies.
Carols in Bengali and English fill the air, carrying messages of hope and joy. Children, dressed in their finest attire, eagerly await Santa Claus, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
On Christmas Eve, families gather for a traditional meal. Rice dishes like biriyani and pulao mingle with roast chicken and mashed potatoes, a testament to the fusion of Bangladeshi and Western traditions. Sharing stories, laughter, and prayers, families create a haven of warmth and togetherness between people of different faiths. Saheb Bari, situated at the Becharam Dewry of Armanitola, is a testament to it.
Christmas is very festive and a much-awaited festival for the family of the Saheb Bari. Abu Mohammed Emran, the owner of the house, hosts parties for his Christian and non-Christian friends.
"Oh yes, we celebrate Christmas joyously. It is our family tradition. My forefathers used to do that; they had a great connection with the Britishers in the pre-partition era. So, it is quite common. I have a lot of friends who grew up. If they don't go to their hometowns, then visit my house, and we have a bowl." Abu Mohammed Emran shared about his Christmas celebration.
It is quite rare to see a high-raised room leading to a certain destination; some air-passing round-shaped windows will guide light to a cross. The cross turns gold colour as the sunlight kisses it, and the reflection of that light falls into a book whose pages are brown and dusty.
A kid with his father standing right next to the book murmuring some lines that mean let peace and love spread in the world; the summary of Christmas Day.