CULTURE
Traditions:
The Bengali language, Islamic religion, and rural character of Bangladesh all serve to unify the country’s culture to a considerable degree. Although some regional variation occurs across the Bengali community, cultural differences between ethnic, religious, and social minorities and between rural and urban populations are much more salient.
The traditional music of Bangladesh is very much the same as that of the Indian sub-continent. The music in Bangladesh can be divided into three main categories: classical, modern and folk.
Bangalees have a rich fictional legacy, with the first available form of literature being over a thousand years old. Bengali literature developed considerably during the medieval period with the rise of popular poets such as Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi an Alaol.
Drama and theatre is an old tradition that is very popular in Bangladesh.
Celebrations:
Bangladesh has a rich, diverse culture. The three primary religions of Bangladesh (Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam) have had a great influence on its culture and history.
Muslim Holidays
Eid-ul-Fitr (This marks the celebration at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan)
Eid-ul-Azha (Festival of sacrifice).
Other significant days include Shab-e-Barat, Jamaat-ul-Wida, Shab-e-Qudr, and Muharram (Ashura).
Hindu Holidays
Janmastami: Celebration of the birth of Rama.
Durgapuja (Dashomi) : The 10 day festival associated with vanquishing demons, in particular Rama's victory over Ravana in the Ramayana, and Durga's victory over the buffalo-headed Mahishasura. People wash their vehicles clean on this day and decorate it with flowers and leaves of mango tree. Sweets are made. The young people distribute leaves of a particular tree which are of symbolic gold. One can watch the Ram Lila which is a dramatic performance of the life of Rama.
Buddhist Holidays
Buddho Purnima: Buddhists commemorate the birth and enlightenment of Buddha. This occurs on the first full-moon of the Bengali month of Baishakh.
Christian Holidays
Christmas: Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Alcohol:
Bangladesh is a Muslim country; alcohol is frowned upon and found mostly in the international clubs and pricier restaurants.
Sports and Hobbies:
The most popular sports in Bangladesh are cricket, football (soccer), and kabaddi. Kabaddi is the national sport of Bangladesh. Hockey, tennis, badminton, and wrestling also are popular.
Cricket is a game which has a massive and passionate following in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh national cricket team goes by the nick-name of the Tigers - after the Royal Bengal Tiger which too calls Bangladesh its home.
Soccer is undeniably the most popular sport in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi's have taken to soccer, or football as we would prefer to call it with a passion. Big clubs have passionate fans who follow each and every aspect of their clubs.
Kabaddi is the national sport of Bangladesh. In Kabaddi, two teams compete with each other for higher scores, by touching or capturing the players of the opponent team. Each team consists of 12 players, of which seven are on court at a time, and five in reserve. The two teams fight for higher scores, alternating defence and offense.