Ekushey February

About Ekushey February

Ekushey simply means "twenty-one" in Bangla, and for Bangladeshis the word on its own points to one date: 21 February. After the partition of 1947 the government of Pakistan moved to make Urdu the only state language, even though most people in what was then East Bengal spoke Bangla. Students, teachers and writers protested from 1948 onwards. On 21 February 1952 police opened fire on a student demonstration near Dhaka Medical College, and several people were killed. The movement grew stronger rather than weaker, and Bangla was later recognised as a state language. Many historians see this as an early step on the road to 1971.

In Bangladesh the day is Shaheed Dibosh, Martyrs' Day, and a national public holiday. In 1999 UNESCO declared 21 February International Mother Language Day, and it has been observed around the world since 2000 to encourage respect for every language and the people who speak it. The date follows the Gregorian calendar and never moves.

Ekushey is a day of mourning and pride at once, not a festival of feasting. Its spirit runs through the whole month: February in Bangladesh is the month of the language, with readings, songs, exhibitions and, above all, the national book fair.

How it is celebrated

The observance starts just after midnight, when people gather at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and at Shaheed Minars in towns, colleges and schools across the country to lay flowers. At dawn many join the Probhat Feri, a slow procession made barefoot as a mark of respect, singing the Ekushey song "Amar bhaiyer rokte rangano". Black badges are worn, flags fly at half mast, and many people dress in black and white. Schools hold essay, recitation and handwriting competitions, and walls are painted with the Bangla alphabet.

For the whole of February the Bangla Academy runs the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka, the largest book fair in the country, where publishers launch hundreds of new titles and families come to browse in the evenings. Buying a book in February, for yourself or a child, has become a quiet tradition in its own right.

What people buy

1. Books

   February is the biggest month of the year for Bangla publishing. Novels, poetry, history, essays and children's books are all in demand, especially new titles launched at the book fair.

2. Black and white clothes

   Sarees, panjabis, kurtis and salwar kameez in black and white, sometimes printed with Bangla letters, are worn for the Probhat Feri and school programmes.

3. Alphabet-print items

   Scarves, T-shirts, mugs and bags printed with Bangla letters or lines of poetry are popular, particularly with students.

4. Flowers

   Wreaths and loose flowers are bought by schools, offices and families to lay at the Shaheed Minar at midnight or dawn.

5. Learning materials for children

   Alphabet books, picture dictionaries, handwriting copybooks and letter puzzles help young children learn to read and write Bangla.

Gift ideas

1. A new Bangla book

   A novel, a poetry collection or a well-loved classic is the natural Ekushey gift for any age.

2. Children's alphabet set

   An illustrated alphabet book with a letter puzzle or flash cards is a gentle way to share the meaning of the day with small children.

3. Letter-print scarf or tote

   A scarf, shawl or cloth bag printed with Bangla letters is a wearable reminder of the language.

4. A good pen and notebook

   For writers and students, a quality notebook and pen celebrates writing in your own language.

Shopping tips

If you want new book-fair titles or a specific edition, order early in February, as popular books can sell out of a seller's stock and reprints take time. Black-and-white outfits for the Probhat Feri are best ordered two to three weeks ahead, since 21 February is a fixed date and tailors and couriers get busy in the days before it.

On Midmart each shop sends its own parcel with its own delivery charge, so books from two bookshops and a saree from a clothing shop means three parcels and three charges. Try to buy several books from one bookshop where you can. Midmart never collects payment or arranges delivery; each seller handles both in their own way, so confirm the payment method and delivery time with the seller before you order.

Shop for Ekushey February

• bangla books
• black saree
• white panjabi
• black and white panjabi
• children books
• bangla alphabet
• poetry books

Ekushey February dates

Dates marked “expected” depend on the moon sighting or the official calendar and are confirmed close to the day.

Questions about Ekushey February

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