Page 45 - GOTIL (ENG) Sample

Village Life in Bangladesh 13

The seasons change abruptly. One day it is spring, with hot
days and pleasantly cool nights, and on the next it becomes
summer, with intensely hot days and uncomfortably hot
nights. The rains start in mid-June and continue for four
months. It is a relief when they stop, but then the heat
returns, combined with enervating humidity. Thereupon
the countryside looks extraordinarily beautiful and green.

The tail end of the monsoon along with the following
season is called śarat (autumn), and lasts until mid-
October. After that comes hemanta, the dewy season, which
extends till mid-December. This period is pleasant, with
crisp cool nights and warm days, about thirty degrees
Celsius. Fruit and vegetables flourish. In the mornings
there is mist or occasional light rain. Then comes winter,
pleasantly cool in the day but cold at night. Although not
Siberian cold, nonetheless people retire for sleep soon
after dark, wrapped up against the chill.

By mid-February the days get hot again and there’s a
sense of passively waiting for the real heat to arrive. By
that time there hasn’t been much rain for several months,
so the land is dry and dusty. As spring progresses it grows
hotter and hotter, and when summer comes in mid-April
it’s almost too hot to do anything.

During summer everything stops at midday. In towns
the shops are closed and streets empty. Everyone goes
indoors, closes shutters to keep the hot air out, and sleeps
until the worst heat has abated. Animals try to find a shady
spot near some water to relax, waiting for the swelter to