Culture and Society in Bangladesh - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering major concepts, terms, and topics from the lecture notes on Culture and Society in Bangladesh.

Culture (Bangladesh)

The way of life of Bangladeshi people, evolved over centuries, encompassing music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, folklore, literature, fairs, festivals, cuisine, and the cultural diversity of social groups.

Bangla (Bengali) language

Primary language of Bangladesh; an Indo-European language with regional dialects; used in two forms: Sadhu Vasha (formal) and Cholit Vasha (colloquial).

Sadhu Vasha

Learnt/formal Bengali used in literature, essays, and poetry by the literate tradition.

Cholit Vasha

Colloquial, everyday spoken Bengali used by the general population.

National symbol: Bangla language

The most important symbol of national identity for Bangladesh; language ties to land and nation.

Flag symbolism (Bangladesh)

Green represents the countryside; red circle symbolises the rising sun and the blood shed in the 1971 Liberation War.

National anthem (Rabindranath Tagore)

A Bengali poem by Tagore that links love of land and nature with national identity.

Urbanism, architecture, space use

Urban and rural architectural styles reflect historical influences; modern buildings blend Western and Islamic aesthetics.

Shongshad Bhaban (National Parliament Building)

Dhaka Parliament building designed by Louis Kahn, merging Western modernity with Islamic-inspired spaces.

National Monument (Savar)

Symbol of Bangladesh’s liberation; a wide-based spire that rises higher as it expands.

Rural architecture in Bangladesh

Rectangular, dried mud/bamboo/red brick houses with minimal interior decoration and storage-focused walls.

Ranna ghor

A separate kitchen structure in rural homes; often used during the dry season for cooking.

Lalon Mela

Five-day Baul festival in Kushtia on Lalon Shah’s death anniversary; also held during Dol Purnima and Kartik.

Baul

A mystic folk tradition; Baul songs emphasize spirituality and social philosophy; Lalon Shah is a key figure.

Pohela Boishakh

Bangla New Year; celebrated countrywide with Boishakhi Mela, poem recitals, songs, and special foods like panta ilish.

Pohela Falgun

Spring festival (Bashanto) marking the arrival of Bashonto; attire and flower processions; held on Feb 13.

Shakrain (Kite Flying Festival)

Dhaka’s Kite Festival (Shakrain) marking end of Poush; symbols of unity and friendship; kites fill the sky.

Nabanna

Harvest festival celebrating the new Aman paddy crop; marks beginning of autumn harvest.

Ekushey Book Fair (Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela)

National book fair held each February; celebrates Bengali literature and culture.

Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)

Annual international trade fair organized by the Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce.

Eid Ul Fitr

Three-day Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, with prayers, family time, and festive foods.

Eid Ul Adha

Feast of sacrifice on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah; commemoration of Ibrahim’s obedience; animal sacrifice and sharing of meat.

Christmas (Bara Din)

Big Bangladeshi Christmas celebration with church illuminations and festive decorations.

Muharram

Islamic New Year; one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, second after Ramadan.

Durga Puja

Hindu festival lasting about ten days; Durga idols worshiped and immersed; associated days include Lakshmi, Kali, Kartik, Saraswati rites.

Buddha Purnima

Major Buddhist festival celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana on a full moon.

Independence Day (March 26)

National holiday; guns, wreath-laying at the National Martyrs’ Memorial; public celebrations.

International Mother Language Day

Observed on February 21 to honour the Language Movement martyrs of 1952 and Bangla’s state language status.

Bangladeshi cuisine (core idea)

Vibrant, rice-based and spice-rich; staples include machhe-bhaate-bangali, with dishes like Kacchi Biryani, Bhuna Khichuri, Morog Polao, Panta Ilish; desserts with milk and rice.

Machhe-bhate-Bangali

Cuisine pattern: rice with fish, vegetables, and lentils; emblematic of Bangladeshi cooking.

Kacchi Biryani

Fragrant layered rice dish with meat and potatoes, spices.

Bhuna Khichuri

Hearty lentil and rice stew; comfort food in Bangladeshi cuisine.

Morog Polao

Rice dish with chicken, onions, and spices.

Panta Ilish

Breakfast dish of hilsa fish soaked in mustard oil with rice and onions.

Roshogolla

Syrupy dessert made from cottage cheese in sugar syrup.

Mishti Doi

Sweet yogurt made with milk, sugar, and cardamom.

Jilapi (Jalebi)

Sweet, deep-fried dough fried and soaked in sugar syrup.

Rasmalai

Sweet cheese dessert in milk with saffron.

Folk music and instruments

Folk genres include Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati, Murshidi, Gombhira; main instruments include Ektara, Dotara, Dhol, Dholakk, Khamak, Bansuri, Shilnoy (shanai), Kartal, Dugdugi.

Ektara

One-string bass-like instrument used in Bangladeshi folk music.

Dotara

Two- to four-string plucked instrument common in folk music.

Nakshi Kantha

Embroidered quilts; important regional craft, especially in Rajshahi, Jessore, Faridpur.

Alpana

Rice-paste floral patterns drawn on floors or roads for Vratas and weddings; significant in rituals and on Shaheed Minar.”

Bamboo Craft

Bamboo used in houses, farming tools, and musical instruments (e.g., Ektara) with decorative motifs.

Cane Craft

Cane used for furniture and decorative items; Nakshi Poti mats and Shitalpati are popular crafts.

Sola craft

Spongewood crafts used for deities’ backdrops, bridal headgear (topars), and decorative objects.

Daruchitra

Wood engraving art used to decorate door frames, pillars, and panels.

Gazir Pat / Patuyas

Scroll paintings (Gazir Pat) and other narrative scroll art (Patuyas) used to depict legends and Puranic stories.

Folk Art (General)

Art and crafts rooted in village life; motifs include lotus, sun, tree of life, fish, birds, flowers, geometric patterns; often functional and symbolic.

Alpanā (Hindu weddings)

Traditional floor drawings using white paste; motifs vary by ritual (vratas) and weddings; differs for Hindu and Muslim traditions.

Nakshi Kantha (detail)

Embroidered quilts with layered cloth; famous regional variants and applications (bedspreads, pillow covers, etc.).

Fam ily, kinship and marriage (Bangladesh)

Bari as core unit; patrilineal with limited female property rights; dowry or bride-price; arranged marriages common; extended rural households.

Personal etiquette (Bangladesh)

Greetings: Assalamu Walaikum and Walaikum Assalam; Nomoshkar among Hindus; space and seating norms; hospitality and queuing habits.

Indigenous communities in Bangladesh

35+ tribes living mainly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; diverse religions (Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Animist); languages and customs vary.

Chakma

Largest tribal group in BD; in Chittagong Hills; speak Arakanese-Bengali; Buddhist; Jhum cultivation; Bizu festival; unique script.

Marma

Second-largest tribe; Mongoloid; Buddhists; Arakanese language; Sangrai festival (water festival); animistic elements.

Tripura (Khagrachhari region)

Tribe with Kokborok language; Boishu festival; 36 clans; largely Hindu, with some Christian influence.

Santals

Oldest indigenous group; Santali language; Sohrai festival; patriarchal social structure; agriculture-centered life.

Garo

Indigenous group in BD and India; Songsarek/Christian majority; Wangala festival; matrilineal tendencies in some communities.

Khasi

Indigenous group in India and parts of BD; Khasi language; Christian; part of tribal diversity in border regions.

Monipuri

Ethnic group in Sylhet and north-eastern BD; two groups (Bishnupriya and MoiToi Monipuri); weaving, agriculture, dance, Rathajatra and Doljatra.