Inflation hasn't spared Muslim festival of Bakrid or Id-ul-uzha. At the traditional goat bazaar in Kalaigaon, Dimakuchi, Ghagra of the district buyers and breeders are negotiating hard. The consensus is prices are up though the two sides don't agree by how much.
Every Bakrid season, the traditional goat market in Kalaigaon market transforms into a full-fledged bazaar in the days goat breeders arrive with their flock. This year, prices have shot up and even the normal goat varieties are being sold at rates ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 for an animal. The goat bazaar is also unique in another sense as majority of the goat sellers are Hindus. Bakrid is an important date in their business calendar.
"I have 20 goats here at the market and am hoping to get a good price for them. They are local breeds. My starting price is Rs 8,000 and I have already sold a few," said a trader at the Kalaigaon market.
"Goat prices have gone up this year. As people don't rear goats as they used to in in villages making a scarcity of goats for Bakrid," said Mrinal Das, who has arrived with 5 goats to be sold at the Kalaigaon market.
S. Khan, another resident of Tangla on the lookout for a goat for his family, said that apart from the price, the physical condition of the goat also has to be checked thoroughly. He added that as per the tradition and ritual, the animal chosen for Qurbani (sacrifice) should be pure and free from any deformity or blood wounds on its body. He also said that price doesn't play a role as for Qurbani handsome price are paid for a healthy and large goats.
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