Bangladesh: Nouka Baich (Boat Race) Competition

Mustasinur Rahman Alvi

Nouka Baich referred as Boat Race is a traditional dragon boat-style rowing sport of Bangladesh. The races are held during the wet and autumn seasons of the Bengali calendar which corresponds from June to October in the Gregorian calendar. The "Nouka Baich" in this series took place at Kirtonkhola River in Barisal City, Bangladesh. Despite having increase number of Covid-19 patient’s day-by-day in Bangladesh, local authority arranged “Nouka Baich” where people barely didn’t wear a mask and maintain a minimum social-distance. Boats used for Nouka Baich are long with each team can consist from 7 to up to 100 members whether men and women boat can attend whom are known as Majhis. Boats with motor engines are not allowed. Boats are usually named with attractive and boastful names displaying quality and speed. During inter-riverine competitions, teams are named after their respective 'Home Rivers'. It is also a social event and it is common for the competitors to sing Sari Song (Folk songs) as they compete during the race.