The PHOTOSERIES is about the Sangrai Festival happens on Chitmorom, Kaptai.
The meaning of ‘Sangrai’ is ‘Year Changes’ in English. Bangladeshi Marma and Rakhine groups celebrate this day as one of the main festivals of them. The calendar of the Marmas is called “Mraima Sakraoy”. The Marmaras observe Sangrai as a total of three days, including the last two days of the old year and the first day of the new year.
Sangrai actually means saying goodbye to a year and welcoming a new one. Traditionally the ‘Jhum’ farming session also begins with this calendar opening. Marmas also do not get married after the ‘Maghi Full Moon’ until Sangrai. Which portrays Sangrai as a new beginning by throwing away all old things.
The festival continues for three days. On the very first day, people cleans their house premises and decorate with flowers. According to Marma belief, the Sangrai goddess comes on earth on this day. People also go to ‘Bihar’ on this day to praise Buddha. The second and third day includes traditional sports, cultural programmes and water festival.
The main attraction of Sangrai is the water sport called Marmara “Ri Long Poye”. This water sports festival is held on the last day of Sangrai festival. Sangrai water sports are performed not only by the Marmas, but also by the Dai tribes of Southeast Asia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and China in mid-April. In Myanmar, such events are called “Thingon” and in Thailand and Laos this ceremony is called “Sankran”. To perform the ritual, people wish for a prosperous and trouble free year ahead.
The festival has catered some modern day entertainment like concerts also nowadays. It’s all about celebration and welcoming a new year with the expectations and prayers for good things.
