Medieval Jousting in Bangladesh: alive and well
- Author: sr
- Filed under: Politics
Sep 7,2006
Every so often the noblemen of Bangladesh organise massive pageants called “gheraos” and “hartals.” During these events, the brave knights of the order of Hasina go forth and do their best against, what they call, the brute and corrupt forces of Queen Khaleda, the widow of a former supreme knight of the realm. Quite what the purpose is of all the pomp and fanfare no one is sure about. One conjecture is that the photo-opportunities provided by the jousting like the one above of Saber Hossain Chowdhury - taken during yesterday’s festivities - are just too good to miss out on for the knights concerned. They enhance the knight’s credibility within the pecking order and help to ensure a high sanctification should the incumbent monarch ever be unseated and should Hasina the Usurper ever come to occupy the throne. Queen Khaleda’s noblemen never directly challenge Hasina’s knights preferring the comforts of Gulshan and cantonment homes. Rather they let loose their dogs of war - Rab and police and peasants if any are available - and they ensure that these timeless rituals never change.
You too can witness these quaint cultural and historical activities. Just book a flight to Dhaka around December or better still January of next year. Better than the Pamplona Bull Run any day.
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5 Responses for "Medieval Jousting in Bangladesh: alive and well"
Saber was targeted. He continues to be targeted for various reasons - one his popularity, second his godfather opponent Mirza Abbas.
Saber is a good bloke, as you would say.
I accept all your comments above. As you know Rubel there are many pics of Awami knights in similar circumstances. Dialogue is eschewed. What works for both sides are these spectacles.
Shafiur bhai,
I want to pay accolades to your writing style – the sarcastic humor is brilliant!
Anyway, so far the evidence indicates that the attack on SHC was pre-planned.
-Zafa
[…] So as if the violence was not enough the other day, we have been promised another round this sunday - tomorrow. And with it more photo-opportunities like this below for Hasina’s son. Never mind that poor Saber is bleeding internally, just make sure you get the shots of the annointed one. The entire strategy is this: street violence followed by casualties followed by a sense of victimhood followed by feigned outrage followed by more street violence etc. […]
[…] I wish the government had the capacity to deal with these people at home. But it isn’t to be it seems. They risk trouble down the line but I guess short term decisions are easier to make if big brother is breathing down your neck. It is as if they are acting out a script given to them to manage the situation. And the script is faulty. And what of Hasina? Last year she was in her element calling hartal after gherao after hartal. She had no care or concern for the young activists who got killed or maimed or injured. Indeed she made sure her son and heir was their for the photo-opps provided. One day she would receive a Mother Teresa prize, the next day she would be calling for more blood. So is exile in the land of the free to be her fate? Real justice would see her locked up. […]
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