Biju Lives On: An Indigenous New Year Amid Silent Struggle

HAPPY BIJU 2025 FROM CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS.

In the green hills of southeastern Bangladesh, a special festival called Biju is happening today. It is not just a New Year celebration but also very important for the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, whose culture and way of life are quietly under threat.

Today is Fulbiju, the first day. Children wake early and gather colorful wildflowers from the forests. Then, they go to the rivers and gently release the flowers into their rivers.

Tomorrow is Mulbiju, the main day. Families clean their homes carefully, cook special dishes, and visit neighbors with joy. The day after is Gojjepojje Din, a peaceful day for prayers and remembering ancestors. Elders visit temples, offering food and respect to those who have passed.

At first, for outsiders, Biju might seem like just a festival welcoming spring. But for the Indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts like the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Bawm, Mro, Khumi, Khyang, Pangkhua, Lushai, Rakhine, and Chak—it means much more.

Each group gives the festival a different name, such as Biju for Chakma, Sangrai for Marma, or Boisu for Tripura, but the heart of the festival is the same: a celebration of nature, heritage, and identity.

Each part of Biju carries deep meaning.

Fulbiju means “Flowers Biju.” On Fulbiju, in places like Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari, children gather at their rivers—the Karnaphuli, Sangu, Chengi, and Maini—to float flowers which is a symbol of letting go of old sadness and hoping for a better future.

Mulbiju means “Main Biju.” Mulbiju is the happiest day. Families cook Pajon, a special dish made with fresh vegetables. They share food, laughter, and traditional dances together in village courtyards.

On Gojjepojje Din, the mood is calm and reflective. People visit elders to show respect, temples to honor their ancestors, and pray for blessings.

Today, celebrating Biju is quietly defiant. Do you know why?

The reason lies in history. It is a painful chapter for the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

During the Partition of British India in 1947, the region was home mainly to Indigenous peoples who practiced Buddhism and animism, making up 98% of the population.

Despite their strong wishes to join India—a secular, multicultural nation—they were unjustly given to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), a decision made without consulting them. They never wanted to become part of Pakistan, a country created specifically on religious grounds. This injustice has resulted in decades of hardship, cultural erosion, and struggle for survival.

After the 1970s, the situation has become harder. Many Bengali Muslim settlers have been moved into Indigenous lands by government plans. Indigenous people have lost land, faced military pressure, and often had their temples damaged. Schools do not teach Indigenous languages or history, and families sometimes feel forced to adopt Muslim titles before their names or convert to Islam to get basic services.

Despite these challenges, the people are proudly trying to keep their traditions alive. One young Marma woman, reflecting on the festival, said, “Biju is the most special time of the year. Even though our lives are difficult, Biju reminds us that we have a beautiful heritage worth celebrating.”

In this difficult situation, celebrating Biju is more than just tradition. It is peaceful resistance. When a Chakma mother lights incense in a temple during Gojjepojje Din, when a Tripura elder cooks fresh hilly food with grandchildren, or when Marma youth dance under the stars, they show their determination to stay Indigenous. Every flower floating in the river is a silent prayer and a powerful message: “We are still here. We are proud. We refuse to disappear.”

A Chakma student expressed it clearly: “Even when our lands are taken, and our languages are mocked—we still celebrate Biju. It reminds us we are still here. Still proud. Still Indigenous.”

The Indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts understand the threat of rising Islamism because we, like Israel, face the same existential danger posed by the ideology of Hamas and radical Islamism—a shared struggle for survival against cultural and religious annihilation. That is why the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts will always stand with Israel.

Today, as flowers float down the Karnaphuli, Sangu, Chengi, and Maini rivers, they carry an important message to the world. They speak of peaceful yet strong resistance, asking the world to see and protect their rich culture.

Biju greetings from Tokyo to everyone around the world, from the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Let their voices be heard. Let their cultures stay strong. Let their festival continue to bloom. Let Biju flourish. Let these proud Indigenous peoples survive and thrive.

April 12, 2025
Tokyo, Japan