Eid through generations: A three-dimensional celebration in Dhaka

Half a century ago, Eid celebrations in Dhaka were vastly different from what they are today. The Gen Z generation's way of marking the occasion is almost unrecognisable to the Gen X individuals born in the 1960s. 

Meanwhile, millennials from the 1990s often experience nostalgia for the traditions of their childhood Eids.

To comprehend Eid festivities in Dhaka before Pakistan's rule, one must turn to history.

But, those who witnessed Eid from the 1970s onward claim that contemporary celebrations bear little resemblance to the past.

Particularly, there is hardly any similarity between the Eid memories of Gen Z, born in the 21st century, and Gen X, who were born around 1965. Yet, Gen X individuals argue that their Eid experiences were quite similar to those of the Baby Boomers, born before 1965.

Eid in Old Dhaka: A nostalgic journey  

Shah Ali Mia, 62, a spare parts trader in Old Dhaka for four decades, reminisces about his childhood Eid in the capital.

"Dhaka was not as expansive, and Gulshan-Banani had yet to become the city's elite hub. The real joy of Eid was in Old Dhaka. One of the biggest traditions on Chand Raat was going to the banks of the Buriganga River at Sadarghat-Swarighat to sight the moon. The elite of the time would pre-book boats, and after Iftar, they would row to the middle of the river with guns in hand. Once the moon was spotted in the clear water, they would fire celebratory shots to announce Eid. The gunfire would continue for an hour as boats across the river joined in," he said.

Ali also recalls the traditional Eid morning meal: shir khurma. "Before heading for Eid prayers, we would drink shir khurma, made from finely chopped dates soaked overnight in thickened milk."

Over time, however, shir khurma was gradually replaced by payesh and semai.

Corporate employee Safiul Rahman (35), a resident of Becharam Dewri, adds, "In our fathers' and grandfathers' time, semai was also common, but it wasn't the packaged version. A machine called 'chutki' was used to make it fresh the night before Eid. As demand for packaged semai grew in the 1980s, homemade chutki semai disappeared, and shir khurma was replaced by lachcha semai and sweet bakarkhani."

For millennials and Gen X, semai and payesh remain staples, but Gen Z has different preferences. College student Saimun (19) has never even heard of shir khurma. "In our house, payesh is a must, but I prefer it cold from the fridge. What I really enjoy on Eid morning is pudding, falooda, or fruit custard. I don't feel like eating semai or payesh so early, so my mum makes pudding the night before and keeps it in the fridge."

Chand raat and Eid night: From Qasida to Netflix 

Hossain Sardar (67), who spent three decades in Old Dhaka before moving to Badda, recalls how qasida was a core part of Eid preparations. "During sehri, groups of boys would sing qasida, competing against one another. On Chand Raat, they would set up pandal tents in alleyways to prepare for Eid night qawwali sessions, which lasted till dawn."

Today, qawwali has vanished from Dhaka's Eid scene. For the 1990s generation, renting VCRs to watch movies on Eid night was the highlight. Yasmin Jahan Rumki (38) remembers, "VCR rental shops would be packed across Dhaka. Those with TVs at home rented VCRs, and neighbours gathered for an all-night movie marathon. Some preferred to visit cinemas for the latest Eid releases."

While Gen Z still watches movies, the experience has moved from cinema halls to Cineplexes. In Old Dhaka, Hindi songs blaring from speakers mark the night's celebrations, while others spend Eid night binge-watching Netflix or gaming. School student Rushna (16) shares, "Our Eid night tradition is watching movies on Netflix or playing card games with siblings. Some of my friends organise PlayStation tournaments. Since there's no school pressure, everyone celebrates in their way."

From horse races to restaurants 

During the Mughal era, emperors and governors attended Eid prayers on elephants. Gen X did not witness such grandeur but still holds fond memories of horse races.

Sirajul Haque (69) recounts, "Previously, horse races were held at Racecourse (now Suhrawardy Udyan). Even after independence, smaller horse races took place in local fields, surrounded by Eid fairs. As children, we were captivated by the handmade toys at these fairs."

In the 1990s, horse races and boat races outside Dhaka added excitement to Eid. Toy pistols known as cutis pistols, which made a loud bang using gunpowder paper, were a popular purchase for Tk 15. Girls, on the other hand, were drawn to balloons, dolls, whistles, and lipsticks.

Today, Eid fairs have lost their appeal. Many Gen Z youths prefer spending Eid afternoons at restaurants or exploring nearby entertainment spots.

University student Safwan (23) says, "Most Eids, I travel to my village. But when I celebrate in Dhaka, it's all about dining at a top restaurant with friends or riding around the empty streets on a bike."

Dr Shoaib-ur-Rahman, Associate Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Dhaka University, comments, "For the younger generation, Eid in Dhaka has become restaurant-centric. Even Singapore doesn't have as many restaurants as Dhaka. Without proper urban planning, Eid celebrations have become confined within the walls of eateries."

Evolution of salami 

Another crucial aspect of Eid is salami. Some now call it Eidi after the Middle Eastern tradition, but its essence remains unchanged—only the method of giving has evolved.

Husne Ara (60+) recalls, "We believed giving children money would spoil them, so younger kids received toys or sweets instead of cash. Only those over 12 were given salami in crisp new notes."

Agreeing with her, Rawatun Nabi (29) adds, "I still love receiving new banknotes as salami. It was always accompanied by Eid greeting cards, which ranged from Tk 5 to Tk 50. We treasured both the money and the cards."

With mobile financial services and digital banking, salami and Eid greetings have changed dramatically. Intern at a software company, Adiba Afroz Lili (23) explains, "It's often inconvenient to have fresh notes or to be physically present to give salami. Digital transfers solve this issue. And while paper Eid cards have declined, digital greeting cards have taken their place."

A changing celebration 

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Dhaka's core city now houses over 10.2 million people, with most households averaging fewer than four members.

Experts argue that as joint families give way to nuclear ones, even grand celebrations like Eid are becoming increasingly confined.

Adil Muhammad Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, observes, "Eid in Dhaka is now limited and constrained. Once, Eid fairs and communal sports brought neighbourhoods together, but many of those fields have vanished. Consequently, Eid celebrations have shrunk into a structured routine."

To revitalise Dhaka's Eid spirit, the city itself must first be revived. Though generational differences may remain, expanding the scope of festivities could bridge the divide and bring back the collective joy of Eid.