“…there was a tradition called Amani, according to which the woman of the house would, the night before, soak rice and the twig of a mango tree in a pot of water and on the morning of the new year, sprinkle it on everyone of the family. This was based on a magical belief that the water would wash away the mistakes and negative aspects of the past year and bring peace to the family. This tradition is also empowering for women as they have the responsibility of this mangolik or wishing-well ritual.”

I knew mangoes were magical!

This quote is from an interview about the Bengali New Year celebration published in the “The Bangladesh Reader” (Duke University Press, 2013)