Santals' traditional 'Bou Mela' in Dinajpur is now a reunion fair: the custom of finding a spouse there has faded with time

The traditional fair of the Santal indigenous community, held for generations in Birganj of Dinajpur, has taken place again this year. Without any publicity, the fair is held every year at Basia Hati on the day after Bijaya Dashami of Durga Puja. Once, its main attraction was finding a life partner, which is why it became known for a long time as the 'Bou Mela', or bride fair. With the passage of time, however, that custom no longer exists, and the fair has turned into a reunion gathering.

On Friday (23 October), the fair was held at the Golapganj High School field, organised by the Adibashi Samaj Unnayan Samity. From the morning, Santal young men and women arrived in colourful traditional dress with their elders, following long-standing custom. Although crowds built through the day, the fair came fully alive from after 3pm until the evening, drawing thousands of people.

Security was provided by members of the Ansar and village police led by Birganj police station. Their presence across the fairground was visible as they worked to keep the festive atmosphere peaceful.

On the ground, the fair was enlivened not only by people of all ages from the indigenous community but also by Hindus, Muslims and people of different faiths and backgrounds. As a result, the fair is no longer confined to a single community; it has become a meeting place for everyone in the area.

Traders who came from far and wide did brisk business with stalls selling glass bangles, colourful ribbons, lipstick, earrings, shell necklaces, clay toys, machetes, axes, pots and pans, and a variety of food. The fair therefore also brings a brief boost to the local economy.

Traditional dance and music continued to the beat of drums. Santal young women, dressed in colourful clothes and adorned with flowers, drew everyone's attention, and their attire reflected the distinct colours of the community's own culture.

In the afternoon, a discussion meeting was held chaired by organising committee president Joseph Hemrom. Speakers included Birganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Suma Khatun, Dinajpur district BNP adviser and Chamber of Commerce director Rezwanul Islam Riju, municipal BNP president Alhaj Md Amirul Bahar, organising committee adviser and Nijpara Union Parishad chairman Anisur Rahman Anis, Mohanpur Union Parishad chairman Shahinur Rahman Chowdhury Shahin, and Birganj upazila indigenous leader Shital Mardi.

Joseph Hemrom said: 'Some say it is more than 200 years old, others say the fair has been held for a very long time. Nobody can say when it began. It was named Bou Mela because people once looked for spouses here, but under the influence of the modern age that custom no longer exists here. It is now confined to the media and Facebook.'

He added that children of the small ethnic community are becoming educated and now live according to broader social norms. For a long time, relatives from far away have gathered on the day after Bijaya Dashami to share joy, and that is how the fair has taken the shape of a reunion.

Anisur Rahman Anis said: 'There were strict social rules before, but now many people marry following state laws. Incidents like before no longer happen. Cultural programmes and festivities are held for the fair, which has now transformed into a reunion fair.'

Shital Mardi said: 'Once the fair was called Bou Mela; now it is known as the indigenous people's reunion fair. Our ancestors started this fair and we are maintaining that continuity. Exactly when it began cannot be said. We heard from our fathers and grandfathers that it has been going on by itself for ages. We are only carrying on the formality along the path of our ancestors.'

According to the organisers, although the old custom attached to the fair's name has disappeared, its social importance has not diminished. Instead, on this one day each year, relatives living far apart come together, and the new generation becomes acquainted with its own heritage.

Local people hope that with the cooperation of the administration and the organisers, this tradition will survive in the same way in the coming years. Visitors left this year's fair looking forward to the reunion gathering returning to Basia Hati on the day after Bijaya Dashami next year.