Bangladesh Night will return to the University of Idaho campus Sunday evening, bringing together students and Palouse community members in celebration of Bangladeshi culture.
Hosted by the UI Bangladesh Association of Students and Scholars (BASS), Bangladesh Night began in 2017 to better educate people about Bangladesh — officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh — which shares borders with India and Myanmar, said BASS President Sabreena Nasrin, a doctoral candidate. About 700 rivers run across the country, leading to the Bay of Bengal. The country is also home to the largest mangrove forest and sandy beach in the world.
“Bangladesh is very rich with cultural and traditional diversity,” Nasrin said. “(It) is a land of festivals, sports, cuisine (and more) … These days, Bangladesh is gaining its place in world media with the emergence of the textile industry and sports sector.”
BASS is open to undergraduate and graduate UI students, as well as postdoctoral researchers and faculty members who hail from Bangladesh.
As a nonpolitical, nonprofit organization, BASS provides its members a safe place to meet and enjoy their culture, Nasrin said, organizing social and cultural campus-wide events.
“Bangladesh night is a cultural event to promote our culture to the UI community,” Nasrin said. “We are a new organization, so we have few students here who know of us.”
Under the supervision of the Vandal Dining staff, BASS members will prepare an elaborate selection of foods, such as lamb curry.
Joleen Evans | Argonaut
Senior Smirthi Iyer performs during Bangladesh Night in the International Ballroom Nov. 12, 2017.
BASS members will also perform several dances, including a shadow dance — a favorite from last year’s event, Nasrin said.
“For me, the cultural and food aspects (of Bangladesh Night) are most important,” said BASS Treasurer Md Bahadur Badsha. “It allows us to show how the culture is and to revisit our country and community.”
One of the primary purposes of Bangladesh Night is to show UI students the uniqueness of Bangladeshi culture, since many people often confuse Bangladesh with other South Asian countries.
“I think (Bangladesh Night) is important because it makes the group distinguished,” said BASS General Secretary Robinur Mohshin Chowdury, a graduate student. “It shows people that we are from Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh Night takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Bruce M. Pitman Center.
Last year’s event reached capacity quickly, so BASS members encouraged those wanting to attend to purchase tickets in advance.
Tickets are $10 and available at the Idaho Commons from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays.