A Joyful Indigenous Food Festival

Last week, Mirpur’s Banophool Adibashi Green Heart College came alive with the Indigenous Food Festival that was held on 13th of August, Saturday. The event had been a joint effort of IPNews and the “Nagarik Udyog” organisation, on the occasion of International Indigenous Day.

Following the inauguration ceremony by the Chairman of Banophool Adibashi Greenheart Foundation, flocks of men, women and children from all parts of the capital arrived to enjoy their weekend there, regardless of ethnicity.

In the numerous food-stalls set up, some of our ethnic favourites such as mundi, laksu, pajon, spicy crab, chicken goppa, bamboo chicken and bamboo fish, etc. were advertised in their menus. There were dessert items too, made of binni rice (sticky rice), coconut and sugar, some of which were expertly made in plain view of the customers. For those trying these delicacies for the first time, it was a fascinating experience.

From morning till evening, plates and bowls seemed to be flying off the stalls with how popular the food items were. Indeed, such enthusiasm was completely unanticipated, but it was encouraging.

But that was not all. Staple ingredients of ethnic cooking, such as bamboo shoot, banana flowers, shrimp and fish paste (sidol), as well as dried fish and shrimp were available, freshly sourced from the hometowns! Jars of the beloved balachow were also taken home by many. In one stall, magazines and books related to the indigenous community and culture could be purchased. To top off such a splendid event, the school’s very own students prepared performances, dressed in their traditional attire.

It was clear that the event had managed to create a comfortable ambience–almost like being at a hometown festival— for the minorities present, as many came wearing traditional clothes and chatted in their mother-tongue, relishing in the food where each bite was like a cultural heritage. For the non-minority Bengalis too, they had been introduced to a whole new world of our diverse, delicious cuisines. Indigenous business ventures, such as Hebaang restaurant, Sarang’s Kitchen, CHT CulinarY and Ching’s Kitchen also garnered a lot of popularity and positive reviews from there.

It was a completely successful event from all angles, even though it was the first food festival of its kind hosted by Banophool Adibashi Greenheart College. And with confidence we can say it certainly will not be the last.

Written by Aye Than May