Perception and Practice on Flying Kite as Traditional Cultural Game: A Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Traditional activity is the reflection of a country’s culture. Flying kites is a tradition of Bangladeshi culture. Over the decade, it has lost its previous stand [1]. So, it is rational to re-evaluate its tradition, culture, emotional attachment to the local community, social relations, and myth. The specific objectives were: assessing the perception (views and speculations) of the senior citizens who have witnessed the changing fortunes of this tradition, exploring the current practice and perception of traditional Bangladeshi culture of flying kites among practitioners and non-practitioners and comparing the perception of flying kites as traditional Bangladeshi culture among seniors and the current generation. This was a cross-section, quantitative and explorative study. The period was from January 2020 to August 2022 in eight divisions of Bangladesh. Senior citizens aged 60 to 85 and current generations aged 15 to 18 were the research respondents. A purposive and selective method of sampling was used in this research. After taking verbal informed consent to participate in this research, the research questions were asked and recorded. Selected 500 young individuals from all over the country randomly varied geographically: Urban, Suburban, and Rural. Forty senior citizens from eight divisions of Bangladesh were senior citizen respondents. A semi-structured set of questionnaires were prepared. Data collection techniques were: observational reporting, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews. The study explored that senior citizens perceive flying kites has seen a golden time in their life span, and they recommend it’s very important to cherish this culture. Current citizens don’t practice this culture of flying kites as they are engaged mostly in digital platforms for their leisure. The study concludes with the recommendation that cultural societies are ardently required to come forward to keep this tradition alive. Further study is required to identify feasible approaches for the national stakeholders to leap into action.