Mezban facts for kids
Mezban (Bengali: মেজবান) is a special party and feast from the Chittagong area of Bangladesh. People also call it Mejjan. It's a big social event where lots of delicious food is shared. The main dish is usually steamed white rice with spicy beef. Other tasty foods include a lentil curry and beef bone marrow soup. People hold Mezban parties for happy events like birthdays or weddings. They also have them for sad times, like remembering someone who passed away. Everyone is usually welcome to these feasts. The food is served from morning until afternoon.
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What Does Mezban Mean?
The word "Mezban" comes from the Persian language. It means host, like someone who invites guests to a party. "Mezbani" means hosting or putting on a big feast for guests. In a nearby area called Noakhali, this kind of feast is known as Zeafat. Many writers and poets from Chittagong have written stories and poems about Mezban.
How Mezban Food is Cooked
Mezban meals are mostly about beef dishes. Cooking Mezban food is a special skill. It's a symbol of how important a family is in society. Rich and poor families alike host these feasts when they can.
Here are some special ways Mezban food is prepared:
- Spicy Beef: Beef is cooked with lots of red chilies to make it very spicy.
- Nawla Kanji: This is a soup made from cow bones. It's not too spicy but has a sour and tangy taste.
- Bhuna Dal: This is a type of lentil dish. The beans are peeled and crushed before cooking.
- Chickpea Dish: Another dish is made from chickpeas, bones, fat, and meat. It has a slightly strong taste.
Mezban in Hindu Tradition
Around the mid-1700s, a governor named Shamsher Gazi lived in the northern part of Chittagong. He dug a large pond and held a big feast. For this feast, he brought in many fish from nearby ponds.
In Hindu tradition, fish is used instead of beef for Mezban. The Hindu community in Chittagong holds a Mezban each year. They prepare curries made with fish, vegetables, and dried fish.
Where Mezban is Celebrated Today
Mezban parties started happening in the capital city of Dhaka in the late 1960s. This was thanks to Professor Nurul Islam, who led the Chittagong Association in Dhaka.
Now, Mezban is also celebrated in other cities like Sylhet and Khulna. People even hold Mezban feasts in different countries across Europe, Americas, and Asia.
