A glimpse of our culture CQ Question Bank & Solution - অষ্টম শ্রেণি

people live. Our agriculture, food, ecology, seasons, and rituals are all reflected in these songs. Palligiti, Bhatiwali, Jari, Sari, Gambhira, Lalon Giti, Paalagan, and the songs of Hason Raja all embody the self-expression of the people.

As the landscape changes, the music shifts too. In the hill tracts, you encounter music with the same role but expressed in the diverse languages of the ethnic communities. The instruments used for folk music are crafted from materials found in the surroundings-animal skin, bamboo, and calabash are common examples. The sounds they produce are deeply connected to the land they come from. As people migrate to cities and villages transform, these traditional tunes are slowly fading. However, folk music still finds its place in mainstream films and music albums.

The following are translations of a Hason Raja song and a Bhawaiya song featured in the film Asiya, directed by Fateh Lohani:

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Folk music is an integral part of our culture. The life of the rural people is reflected in folk music. Our agriculture, food, seasons, and rituals are all reflected in these songs. Village people express their weal and woe and feelings through different form of folk music like Palligiti, Bhatiwali, Jari, Sari, Lalon Giti, Palagan, etc. But people's taste for music has changed over time. As people migrate to cities and villages. transform, our traditional folk songs are slowly fading. Folk music or Palligiti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and traditional songs. In general band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young generation. Yet folk music has a great importance in our everyday life today. As this song is deeply rooted in our culture, people still derive pleasure listening to folk music. Besides, folk music is still used in mainstream films and music albums.

Spreading the embroidered quilt,
She works the livelong night,
As if her poet were
On his bereaved plight.
Many a joy and many a sorrow
Is written on her breast;
The story of Rupai's life is there,
Line by line expressed.
"How will he bear the pain, mother?
On this quilt lies all of mine-
All my pain and my grief, Embroidered line by line.
So lay it on my grave, mother.
This picture of my grief,
That his and mine upon its breast
May mingling find relief

Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bangla word, 'naksha' which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practised in rural Bengal for centuries. The name 'Nakshi Kantha' became popular after the poet Jasimuddin's poem 'Nakshi Kanthar Math' was published in 1929.

Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogura and Jashore are most famous for this craft. Now it is produced commercially. You can find them in many expensive handicraft shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.

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Bangladesh is home to more than 54 Indigenous groups, including the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura, with most living in the northern and southeastern flatlands, and the rest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They have distinct lifestyles, economic practices, and belief systems. These groups speak at least 35 distinct languages, adding to the country's cultural richness . However, many of these languages are ondangered, as the dominance of Bangla and modern societal pressures push thom towards extinction, a global issue known as "language death." The UN warns that many Indigenous languages are disappearing, with ones. dying every two weeks.

During the British colonial rule indigenous communities played, a significant role in resisting oppression. Leaders like Sidhu and legacy, Kanu lod uprisings, such as the Santhal Rebellion, highlighting their contributions to the anti-colonial struggle. Despite this Indigenous people in Bangladesh today face challenges in preserving their languages and culture. The government's efforts to include Indigenous languages in preschool education face hurdles like a lack of trained teachers and resources for higher education.

Additionally, the 1957 construction of the Kaptai Dam, funded by USAID and built by the Pakistani government, displaced thousands of people in the hill tracts, submerging their homes and farmlands under the Karnaphuli River, disrupting their livelihoods and cultural connections to the land. This history of displacement and ongoing marginalization continues to affect indigenous communities in Bangladesh.

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Bangladeshi cuisine is rich and varied with the use of many spices. We have delicious and appetizing food, snacks. and sweets.

Boiled rice is our staple food. It is served with a variety of vegetables, curry, lentil soups, fish and meat. Fish is the main source of protein. Fishes are now cultivated in ponds. Also we have fresh-water fishes in the lakes and rivers. More than 40 types of fishes are common. Some of them are carp, rui, katla, magur(catfish), chingri (prawn or shrimp). Shutki or dried fishes are popular. Hilsha is very popular among the people of Bangladesh.

Panta ilish is a traditional platter of Panta bhat. It is steamed rice soaked in water and served with a fried hilsha slice, often together with dried fish, pickles, lentil soup, green chilies and onion. It is a popular dish on the Pohela Boishakh.

The people of Bangladesh are very fond of sweets. Almost all Bangladeshi women prepare some traditional sweets. Pitha, a type of sweets made from rice flour, sugar syrup, molasses and sometimes milk, is a traditional food loved by the entire population. During winter Pitha Utsab, meaning pitha festival, is organized by different groups of people.

Sweets are distributed among close relatives when there is good news like births, weddings, promotions, etc.

Sweets of Bangladesh are mostly milk-based. The common ones are roshgolla, sandesh, rasamalai, gulap jamun, kalo jamun and chom-chom. There are hundreds of different varieties of sweet preparations. Sweets are therefore an important part of the day-to-day life of Bangladeshi people.

Land of our Birth, we pledge to thee Our love and toil in the years to be; When we are grown and take our place As men and women of our race.
Father in Heaven, Who lovest all, Oh help Thy children when they call; That they may build from age to age, An undefiled heritage.
Teach us to bear the yoke in youth, With steadfastness and careful truth; That, in our time, Thy Grace may give The Truth whereby the Nations live.
Teach us to rule ourselves always, Controlled and cleanly night and day; That we may bring, if need arise, No maimed and worthless sacrifice.