Thousands throng the 106th traditional stick-fighting festival at Mohammadpur in Magura

To keep alive rural Bengal's ancient tradition, now fading amid the modern dominance of cricket and football, a lively traditional stick-fighting (lathi khela) gathering was held at Mohammadpur in Magura. The 106th edition of the traditional event took place on Friday afternoon at the Dumurshia D C Secondary School field in Babukhali Union of the upazila, drawing an overflowing crowd. With thousands of men and women present, the whole area turned into a festive fair.

Organised by the Dumurshia Bazar Banik Samity, the century-old tradition drew visitors of all ages not only from Mohammadpur but also from the neighbouring upazilas of Shalikha, Sreepur, Boalmari and Madhukhali. The spontaneous presence of women spectators was particularly noticeable.

Centred on the stick-fighting, held every year in the Bangla month of Kartik, a rural fair takes over the whole field, with merry-go-rounds, daily necessities and all kinds of goods on sale all around.

Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury MP attended the opening as chief guest. He said lathi khela is a very ancient and popular game of rural Bengal, and that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has taken various initiatives across the country to present traditional games such as lathi, ha-du-du, dariabandha and boat racing to the new generation.

To the beat of drums and flutes, stick-fighter teams from different areas entered the field in colourful dress. Their feats in rhythm with the music, and the spectacle of fighters trying to strike one another, captivated the audience, while applause and cheers filled the ground.

Organising committee president and Dumurshia Bazar Banik Samity president Md Abul Hossain said that although forming new teams has become difficult, the veteran stick-fighters remain keenly interested in holding on to the tradition.

Manik Sardar, leader of a long-standing stick-fighter team, said his interest in the game grew from watching his forefathers. It is no longer organised everywhere, he said, but coming to this Kartik fair fills his heart.

Poet Hafiz Rahman, who came from Dhaka, said the tradition has continued since the 1960s but is now cornered amid the crowd of cricket. Alongside local people, the government needs to play a stronger role to preserve this priceless heritage, he said.