One of the cultural and social festivals that the Chakma people, the largest community of Chittagong Hill Tracts celebrate very solemnity is the “Ah-l Palani” or the “Hal palani” festivals. The effect of urbanization has made it mitigated although it is still observed in the rural palces. The 7th day of bangla month Ashar is the time when the festival is celebrated as a symbol of traditional tribute to the mother nature.
The Jhum dependent people ceases to cultivate or farming in lands on this day and take a full day rest. Not only that, the whole day they do nothing related with cultivation by not even touching any of the choppers or axes to the soil. They believe that, on this day of Ashar, the mother earth becomes prolific and fertile so people should stop Cultivating or farming.
But people not only take rest on the concerned day but they observe it as a momentous celebration by inviting the friends and kins at homes and having feasts. Many kinds of pithas are made by the indigenous chakma women from the very beginning of the day which includes pithas like: Kala pitha, Bora pithas, Sanya pithas, Bini pithas etc. Also, the crops are regarded as ‘Lakhsmi’ for the chakma people for which, the Goddess is adored with many feasts by the householders.
From the very ancient time, the indigenous people including the Chakma community has been worshipping the mother earth and many Gods and Goddesses. The rituals and cultures are very deeply connected with the nature. If the nature is safe, the lives of jhum people are safe. Although now, with the changing time, Chakma People are leaning forward the govt jobs or other alternatives other than farming and cultivation of jhum, these kinds of nature connected rituals and traditions are on the way of extinction which were at one time recognized as distinguished nature of the indigenous societies. Also, the present generation has a very low knowledge about these traditions and cultures.
Ahl Palani is a symbol of togetherness of community and respecting the mother nature for It’s contribution to us and showing her the necessary care and love.
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