200-year-old Guti Khela, a legacy of zamindars

A 200-hundred-year-old local game with a large brass ball, popularly known as Guti Khela, was held in Phulbaria upazila of the district on Friday.

Thousands of people, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and age thronged the venue in Boroiata near Laxmipur Bazar in Deokhola Union to enjoy the game. 

This traditional game is held to mark Poush Sangkranti, locally known as Pahura, every year, locals said. Guti Khela Smriti Sangsad organised the event.

Competing villages are required to take the guti (a brass ball weighing around 30-kilogram) from Boroiata to their village, locals said. The villagers who succeed in taking the guti to their village, showing their physical strength, are declared the winners.

People of some 20 villages from Phulbaria, Muktagachha, Sadar and Trishal upazilas participated in the game this year. The team from Sarotia village in Phulbaria was the winner, villagers said.

Deukhola Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Hadi said the whole area was in a festive mood as people from far away villages visited Phulbaria to enjoy the game.

This traditional game, introduced by Mymensingh zamindars, has been celebrated in the area for some 200 years, said AZM Imamuddin, a senior journalist of Muktagachha upazila, who was also a player of the game in his youth.

The then zamindars of Muktagachha and Boilor in Trishal introduced the game to measure the strength of their subjects, said Abdul Aziz of Laxmipur, quoting elders.

There is no prize for the game but the winning team is accorded a reception in Phulbaria's Laxmipur village.

Participation in the game brings unbound joy and festivity for us, and the game is still regarded as a sign of tradition and heritage, said Rezaul Karim, a youth of Laxmipur village.

Mymensingh Zila Parishad Chairman Prof Yusuf Khan Pathan, Secretary of the district Awami League (AL) advocate Moazzem Hossain Babul, city AL President Ehtesamul Alam, Zila Parishad member Tajul Islam Bablu, Ruhul Amin and Keamat Ali Zinnah witnessed the game, among others.