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Showing posts from July, 2025
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  ঢেমনা, ঢ্যামনা(ḍhēmanā, ḍhyāmanā) In Bengali this word commonly is used as a slang to denote an idiot, Someone is very bad and ugly, lewd or illegitimate. Oft used when there is a verbal fight and one is trying to insult the other person In reality, ঢেমনা, ঢ্যামনা is the non poisonous Oriental rat snake মাকাল(Makal) Common Bengali slang used as an insult to denote a person completely bereft of any good qualities, useless fellow etc In reality Makal is a type of fruit, specifically the bitter snake gourd (Trichosanthes bracteata). Bitter Snake Gourd is valued for its ornamental flowers and unique fruit used in traditional medicine and as a vegetable in some cultures, although the fruit is very bitter. The fruit of bitter snake gourd, is considered poisonous. It contains toxic compounds like cucurbitacins, which can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested. While the plant is used in traditional medicine, caution is advised due to its toxicity. বুড়ো ভাম বুড়ো ভাম(Buro Bham) in Be...
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  GHOSTS AND SPIRITS IN BENGALI CULTURE Like the wide variety of Shaak/Saag, Bengali eats virtually any green leaf converting it into a Shaak/Saag Like the wide variety of fish in Bengali cuisine Bengali culture has a wide variety of Bhoot Shakhchunni is a ghost of a married woman, who died young and had a lot of unfulfilled wishes and desires. The name Shakchunni derives from the word "Shankha Churni" or one who has shattered Shankha(bangles). A Bengali married woman wears a red Pola(coral) and white Shankha(sea shell) bangle. Petnis are the spirits of unmarried women and are said to inhabit marshy areas, near ponds and lakes. The name originates from the female form of the Sanskrit word "Pret" meaning Ghost, thus "Pretni" Daaini are old hags who practice black magic and live in a secluded area. They are rumoured to abduct children and turn them into animals. Mecho bhoot is a ghost which loves fish. They are said to live in ponds with lots of fish and it ...