Century-old Polo Bawa Festival Held on the Dhalai River in Kamalganj

The century-old Polo Bawa festival has been held on the Dhalai River in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar. The long-running traditional event created a festive atmosphere across the area.

Polo Bawa is a familiar form of the traditional fishing heritage of rural Sylhet. In this event, people go down into the river in groups with bamboo-made polo traps to catch fish — a practice carried on in this locality for generations.

The Dhalai River is closely tied to the life and livelihood of the people of Kamalganj, and local people have kept the continuity of this century-old festival alive around that river.

On the festival day, the riverbank came alive with people of all ages. Here fishing is not only a matter of livelihood; it is also part of the local culture and social gathering.

Such traditional events across the Sylhet Division still keep rural culture alive. The Polo Bawa festival in Kamalganj is one example of that continuity, introducing the new generation to the heritage with every edition.

For local people, the festival is not just a day of joy; it is also a symbol of their ancestors' memory and the identity of the area. That is why, even after a century, the Polo Bawa festival on the Dhalai River retains its appeal.