The Binirail 'Jamai Mela': A cultural legacy for more than 200 years
The Binirail village in Kaliganj, Gazipur, came alive with its annual fish fair on Tuesday, marking the continuation of a tradition that has lasted for over two and a half centuries. While primarily a fish fair, it is popularly known as the "Jamai Mela" or "Son-in-Law Fair," a custom where sons-in-law buy large fish to bring back to their in-laws' homes.
Held every year after the harvest in Agrahayan, the fair coincides with the Poush Sankranti festival. Since its inception in 1910, it has grown into a significant community event, attracting visitors from various districts in Gazipur, including Tangail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Bhairab, Kishoreganj, and Mymensingh.
The fair, bustling with excitement, features over 300 fish stalls, offering both large marine species like chital, tiger fish, and rupchanda, as well as local fish varieties. The atmosphere is further enriched by sweets vendors offering traditional treats such as chomchom, rasgulla, and sandesh, along with handmade goods, toys, and furniture.
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In keeping with rural traditions, the fair also provides entertainment like puppet shows, swings, and stick games for visitors to enjoy. The event serves as not only a marketplace but also a social and cultural gathering, bringing people together to celebrate heritage, enjoy family reunions, and participate in time-honoured customs that have been passed down through generations.
The highlight of the Binirail Fish Fair is the friendly competition between sons-in-law and fathers-in-law. Sons-in-law from Binirail and nearby areas visit their in-laws' homes, bringing large fish as a sign of respect, while fathers-in-law buy the biggest fish to present to their sons-in-law.
The fair also serves as a reunion, as families from surrounding districts invite their daughters and sons-in-law to visit, strengthening family bonds. While its primary purpose is to celebrate the rice harvest and Poush Sankranti, the fair has evolved into a social event that fosters community connections.
Many visitors, some of whom have attended for years, recall how they were married in the area and have made the fair a yearly tradition. Newcomers, drawn by the fair's growing popularity on social media, also attend, yet the atmosphere remains rooted in tradition.
Despite the growing number of visitors to the Binirail Fish Fair, vendors reported a decline in sales this year. While more people attended to observe rather than purchase fish, vendors continue to return each year, driven by a deep sense of loyalty to the tradition.
Bimal Chandra, a vendor from nearby Ramchandrapur village, explained, "The fish fair is a symbol of our heritage. Regardless of sales, the most important thing is that we are preserving this tradition for future generations."
The Binirail Fish Fair has a rich history dating back over two centuries to the British era. What started as a small-scale celebration of the harvest has grown into a multi-day event. For nearly 40 years, it has been held annually on the 2nd of Magh, evolving into the largest fish fair in Gazipur district. Today, it stands as a major cultural event in the region, attracting visitors from near and far.
Md Alauddin, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, confirmed that both police and Ansar members patrol the fair regularly to ensure public safety. Plainclothes officers are also deployed to prevent disruptions.
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Kaliganj, Tanima Afrad, praised the fair for preserving the region's heritage, noting, "The Binirail Fish Fair is a local tradition. Events like this are vital for maintaining the timeless beauty of rural Bengal."
