14th April 2015

Pohela Boishakh

Today is New Year in Bangladesh.   When we meet people we say Shubo Nobo Borsho – Happy New Year.   Its a day of celebration and is a public holiday.   Everyone wears red and white and lots of people come into the public parks where there is music and games for the children.   It’s a really joyful celebration.

Image:   People traditionally dress in red and white to celebrate New Year in Bangladesh

There are also processions on the streets with lots of painted masks and people paint decorations on their faces too.

Image:   there are processions through the streets of Dhaka

The day coincides with New Year in many other countries in the region too – including Nepal and Cambodia, as well as the annual water festival in Thailand.

 

Image:  it’s traditional to paint designs on your face or wear very colourful masks.