100-year-old Manda, Jamalpur’s pride

Each region of Bangladesh has its own traditional food. The traditional food of Jamalpur region is 100-year-old Manda or Pithali. It is also prevalent in North Bengal.

Locally called menda or milli or mindali, it is a ritual food item in the district. In the past, during various bridal occasions or wedding ceremonies, Akika, Sonnate-Khotna, and various rituals, most people cooked this special amazing food. It is usually served on banana leaves over rice.

To prepare this item, one needs meat, potatoes, onions, ginger, and hot spices, and, of course, oil and water. The most important ingredient the melandi makers need is Atap (non-boiled) rice powder, which is why it is called Pithali, said Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a chef at the Star Hotel at Bojrapur area in the district town.

At first, one has to take some fresh bone-in-meat (meat with bone) and slices of potatoes as one wishes, which then must be mixed well with oil, ginger, garlic paste and hot spices. After the mixture is done, it will need to be cooked until the meat becomes tender.

Later, Atap rice powder is added to ensure the thickness of the soup. Finally, fried onions will have to be sprinkled on it before it is served hot and tasty. Although the eating habits of people have changed, the attraction of the people of Jamalpur towards the food in this matter has not changed at all. This traditionally cherished food has enriched the culture of Jamalpur. Individuality and uniqueness have been brought to this region by the practice of its own culture for ages.

Assistant Professor Md Abdul Hye Alhadi at Bangla Department of Government Ashek Mahmud College said residents of Jamalpur are accustomed to rice, vegetables, fish, eggs and dal and so on, like many people in other parts of the country. However, pithali or milli is cooked by every family in the district on special occasions irrespective of whether people are rich and poor.

Alamgir Hossain, a resident of Bakshiganj area said he arranged Pithali for 150 people to perform the circumcision ceremony. There the guests

are served with the food, not white rice meat.

“It’s their tradition,” he also said.

Anwar Hossain Mintu, a resident of Jamalpur Sadar area, said, “The arrangement of Pithali has mainly come from the ancestors. Our children are walking through the path too.”