Boat race in Ghorautra, flood of lakh people to see centuries-old tradition

Nikli Sammilita Nagorik Samaj has organized a traditional boat race in the Ghorautra river of Nikli upazila in Kishoreganj after nearly a decade, drawing a large crowd of people to the festive occasion on Friday (September 18).

Boats raced to the rhythm of the oars. Crowds thronged both banks of the river. Some stood on the shore while others took position with boats in the middle of the river. The surroundings were filled with excitement and a festive atmosphere. Such a scene was witnessed in the Ghorautra river.

The boat race started at 5pm. However, spectators started gathering on both banks of the river from the morning long before the competition began. People came from various upazilas of Kishoreganj besides Nikli to watch the event. Many also joined the boat race festival from Netrokona, Sunamganj and Habiganj.

As noon passed the crowd on both banks of the river kept growing further. Many took position with boats in the middle of the river. Organizers claimed the number of spectators crossed a lakh after noon. As a result the Ghorautra river and its surrounding areas turned into a veritable sea of people.

The tradition of boat race in the haor region is very old. According to locals, festivals centred on boat races have been organized for several hundred years in the haor areas of Kishoreganj including Nikli. Such competitions were one of the main attractions of rural life in the rainy and autumn seasons. But with the passage of time boat race, like many other folk entertainment events, was on the verge of disappearing. No such event had been organized in Nikli for nearly a decade.

Nikli Sammilita Nagorik Samaj organized the boat race in the Ghorautra river this time to revive that old tradition. Twelve boats took part in the competition. The event was organized with the encouragement of Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal, member of parliament for Kishoreganj-5 constituency.

There were attractive prizes for the winners of the competition. The team that secured first place received a motorcycle, the second team was given a fridge and the third-place team received an LED television. After the competition the boat of Mohorkona village under Nikli Sadar union secured first place. Later chief guest Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal handed over the prizes to the winners.

Special guests at the programme included former joint president of Nikli upazila BNP Masuk Mia, industrialist Md Mokarram Sardar and people from various local levels.

Sheikh Mojibur Rahman Iqbal said boat race is a traditional festival of Nikli and Bhati Bangla. This event is disappearing with the passage of time. An attempt is being made to revive the old tradition by organizing a boat race in the Ghorautra river after nearly a decade. Keeping the youth away from drugs and involving them in sports and healthy entertainment is also one of the main goals of this event.

Organizer and president of the competition freedom fighter Advocate Manik Mia said boat race is not just entertainment, it is part of the tradition and culture of rural Bengal. This event has been organised with the aim of introducing the new generation to folk culture and rural sports including jari, sari and bhatiali songs, stick fighting and kabaddi that are on the verge of disappearing under the pressure of modernity. Alongside, making the youth interested in sports by keeping them away from drugs and various crimes is also one of its main objectives.

With the crowd of people throughout the day and the line of boats the familiar scene of the Ghorautra river seemed to change. The rapid movement of the competing boats, the rhythm of the oars and the cheers of the people standing on the banks brought back the old atmosphere of the boat race of Haor Bangla. The day turned into a big reunion of the people of Nikli in Kishoreganj centred on a folk tradition that was on the verge of disappearing.