A banana-tree raft racing competition was held on Friday afternoon in the Belua River beside the historic Boithakata Market in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur. Local youth organised the event to entertain villagers, drawing thousands of spectators from different villages after noon. Children, teenagers and people of all ages gathered along both riverbanks to watch the unusual contest.

A total of 64 competitors took part in 32 rafts, with two participants on each raft. Every raft was made from two banana trees. The report says the visually appealing raft race is becoming a new rural festival in Pirojpur, taking the place of traditional boat races that are becoming less common. A similar event was held last year in the district’s Nesarabad upazila.

Spectator Raihan Prince said he had come to see the event because boat races are now rarely held except on certain occasions, and described it as his first raft-racing experience. Organising committee chief Shahriar Parvez Joy called it a rural festival and social gathering, pledging to continue the tradition. Ramjan and Forqan won first place, Hamim came second, and Alamin and Yasin finished third. Union Parishad chairman Hasnat Dalim presented prizes.