Sunday marks the main day of the Boisabi festival in the hills—Biju.
On this day, a special traditional dish called Panchan is prepared in every indigenous household.
During Boisabi, this unique food is cooked in nearly every home in the hill regions.
Made with around 40 types of vegetables, the Chakma people call it Pajon, while the Tripura community refers to it as Moidalzak.
Sometimes, the number of vegetables used in this dish can reach as many as 105.
Various beliefs surround Panchan, including the indigenous communities' belief that eating it helps cleanse the body of diseases.
In fact, it is said that if one eats Panchan from seven different households in a single day, it can lead to complete freedom from all illnesses.
Tripura youth Kheai Tripura said: “During Boisabi, we prepare Moidalzak ourselves to serve our guests. It is not just food—it is our heritage.”
She added: “We use a variety of vegetables and leafy greens in cooking this Panchan. It is our custom that if we can taste Panchan from five to seven houses, we will be free from illness.”
Bidyut Shankar Tripura, president of the Rangamati Tripura Welfare Foundation said: “This festival is not just about food—it is a celebration of culture and harmony. On Biju day, both hill people and Bengalis come together, which is a shining example of secular Bangladesh.”
Centered around the festival, Panchan is being prepared in every household in the hills.
Through the warm hospitality offered to guests and the coming and going of relatives and friends, the Boisabi festival embraces its timeless form.
