Bangladesh

Introduction to Bangladesh

The People's Republic of Bangladesh is a South Asian country bordering India, Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal. Together with the West Bengal state of India, it comprises the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. The name Bangladesh is written as বাংলাদেশ and pronounced IPA: /'baŋlad̪eʃ/. It means "Country of Bengal" but the origin of the word Bangla (Bengal) is obscure.

The borders of Bangladesh were demarcated in 1947 when it became the eastern wing, separated by 1000 miles, of Pakistan. Despite their common religion, the ethnic and linguistic gulf between east and west was compounded by the ruling west's neglect and persecution. Bangladesh won its independence in 1971, after a bloody war supported by India. In its three and a half decades of independence marked by political turmoil and corruption, Bangladesh has had 13 different heads of government, two of them assassinated, and at least four coups. Its last two political transitions were lawful, but growing Islamist terrorism is undermining this newfound stability.

Bangladesh is belied by its modest land area (only 10% bigger than Greece but with 14 times the population). Its population ranks 7th in the world though it ranks 100th in area. It is 3rd among Muslim-majority nations, though it has slighly smaller Muslim population than the Muslim minority in India. It is the most densely populated country in the world, apart from a handful of city-states and small island nations. Geographically dominated by the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta the country undergoes annual monsoon floods and cyclones are also common. Bangladesh is one of the founding members of SAARC and a member of the OIC and the D-8.

Cultural notes about Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a vibrant culture that encompasses traditions both old and new. The Bangla language boasts a rich literary heritage, most of which is shared by Bangladesh and West Bengal. The first literary text in Bangla is the millenium-old Charyapada. Medieval ages saw a lot of activity in the Bangla literary scene by poets like Alaol and Chandidas. However, it is in the nineteenth century that Bangla literature gained its maturity. The greatest literary icons of Bangla literature are Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. Rabindranath wrote what was later adopted as Bangladesh's national anthem Amar Shonar Bangla, whereas a song of Nazrul was adopted as the Martial song. Contemporary Bangladesh keeps producing substantial amount of litearture of all forms. Bangladesh also has a rich tradition in folk literature, evidenced by Môemonshingha gitika, Ţhakurmar Jhuli or stories related to Gopal Bhar and Birbal.

The musical tradition of Bangladesh is lyrics-based (Baniprodhan), with only minimal instrumental accompaniment. The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bangla folk music, and Lalon Fakir perhaps the most well known of Bauls. Folk music of Bengal is often accopanied by the êktara, a string instrument with only one string. Other instruments include the dotara, đhol, khanjan, and tabla, among others. However, Bangladesh also has active heritage in North Indian classical music. One of the most famous classical musician to emerge from Bangladesh is Ustad Allauddin Khan. Similarly, Bangladeshi dance forms also draw from folk traditons, specially those of the various tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance tradition.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Bangladesh

You are advised against all non-essential travel to the Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts). The risk of kidnapping is present and the security situation remains uncertain, with heightened risks of armed clashes between rival tribal groups, settlers and the military. Individuals who choose to visit these districts should exercise extreme caution.

Recent attacks using explosive devices have occurred in Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Chittagong, and many other parts of the country. Attacks have occurred in crowded public places, hotels, movie theatres and political rallies. These attacks have yet to target tourists or foreigners, but the danger of being in the wrong place at the wrong time is always present.

Politically motivated violence can occur at any time. Demonstrations and hartals (enforced general strikes) are more and more frequent. They are often called with little advance notice and can turn violent. Explosive devices and firearms have been used during confrontations. Hartals effectively shut down all business and disrupt transportation, including at times in diplomatic/expatriate areas. Passengers at Zia International Airport may be stranded without transportation. During hartals, travel within Dhaka outside the Gulshan, Baridhara, and Banani areas and all travel outside Dhaka should be avoided due to the high incidence of violence. You should inquire about scheduled hartals by contacting the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka (see below).

Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times while in Bangladesh particularly on Fridays after the afternoon prayers. Exercise extreme caution in commercial, public and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor local developments, avoid crowds and demonstrations, as well as register and remain in regular contact with the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka (see Section 7 below).