1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned
Janmashtami Processional Rally
1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))
A festive rally in the afternoon, on occasion of Janmashtami, is part of ICH Domain 3
1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage
Hindu community celebrates this mainly, but people from all religions take participate in it too.
1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced
Old town of Dhaka South, mainly Islampur area.
1.6 Short description (max. 200words)
Janmashtami is a public holiday in Bangladesh, where a procession is held in the capital city every year. Havans, kirtans and discussions are also organised on the occasion. Participants in the rally enact passages from Krishna Leela or Mahabharata using different props and costumes. Several youngsters dressed up resembling Krishna, called the eighth avatar of the ten incarnations of Vishnu, to participate in the procession. Every year, the procession starts the famous Dhakeshwari temple and traverses through the streets of Old Dhaka. We found in the history books, these rallies have been celebrated from the early 15th century.
1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)
Mainly Hindu communities of elite groups organize the event and other general dwellers rom all ages participate.
2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)
On the occasion, colourful Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna, a central figure of the Hinduism, processions displaying blissful events of the life of Krishna were brought out in the capital this afternoon. Other programmes of the day include puja, prayer and Gita Yogya, discussion, cultural function and distribution of `prasad’. Therefore, tradition bearers associated with the Janmashtami festivities are from various disciplines.
All proceeding and performances use Bangla. However, the incantations of Hindu worship use Sanskrit mantras.
2.4 Associated tangible elements ( if any)
Masks, ornaments, musical instruments, costumes for performances are part and parcel of the Janmashtami Rally and festivities.
2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)
Slogans, kirtans - devotional songs, incantations for worship are all part of the Rally.
2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element
Actively participate, specially in some rituals for women.
2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element
Each section of the community has its designated responsibility.
2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it
These festivities are open to all.
2.9 Modes of transmission
Traditionally practiced
2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)
Dhakessweri Mandir authority.
3. State of the element (viability)
3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)
Busy traffic, religious instability prove a threat
3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)
N/A
3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)
N/A
3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)
N/A
3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)
1. Make it open for all
2. Religious stability
3. Ensure security
4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries
4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
Information is accessible to all.
4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected
N/A
5. Resource Person
5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives
Documentor is from the same community.
5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering
Date : 2020-05-26 Place(s) :
6. Safeguarding techniques
6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element
Build an awareness within the community about the uniqueness of this procession
6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community
Maintain social harmony
7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives
7.1 References to/in literature
Muntassir Mamoon, 'Religious Festivals of Dhaka',
'400 Years of Capital Dhaka and Beyond', Volume II: Economy and Culture, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2011
7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives
N/A
7.3 Discography or archives
James Taylor, ‘A Sketch of the Topography and Statistics of Dacca’, The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, March 2010 (1st Edition 1840)
8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry
8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry
Shajib Kumar Barman
Email: shajibborman@gmail.com
8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
N/A
8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory
2020-05-26
8.4 Present condition of the cultural element
Becoming less
9. Community suggestions
(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any
Encourage the children to participate, wearing traditional costumes, learn to play instruments
(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any