Ri Laung Powe

Ri Laung Powe or Water Festival (Ri- Water, Laung- Throw, Powe- Festival) is most attractive festival in Rakhine community in Bangladesh. It is a three day festival and a part of Maha Thon Gran Powe (greeting new year festival). It is very popular specially among young generation as the unmarried young boys and girls splash water on each other, though the whole festival is for all Rakhine, regardless of age, financial status. In this Thon  Gran Powe or New Year festival the Rakhines’ want to welcome all new good things, happiness, good wishes and forget all of their mistakes, misunderstanding, sorrows, sin which they have made intentionally or unintentionally in previous year by throwing water to each other. The festival makes them closer, young girls (only unmarried) goes together with their friends wearing same style and color of dresses to madoing (stage) which is made with coconut leaf and colorful flowers. The boys also wear stylish dress and move around in groups. They come to the stage and splash water to each other. In this three days festival, the third day or the last day of the festival is very much exciting. The boys buy gifts for the girls whom they like and present the girl by calling them closer in the madong, later they pour water to each other which is know as Mai Tah Ri (water of love). The whole three days festival is filled with fun and enjoyment, they all drink wine, dance, eat delicious food and spend each moments with happiness.