Eid al-Adha cattle markets

Cattle at Eid al-Adha cattle markets

Eid al-Adha, on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, recalls the readiness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, and the ram given in his place. Families who can afford it sacrifice an animal and divide the meat between their household, relatives and the poor. In Bangladesh and Pakistan cattle are the most usual animal, and in the days before Eid large temporary markets, the haat or mandi, open in every city. Cattle are walked or trucked in from the villages, and buyers come with the whole family to choose. For many farmers it is the most important sale of the year. Where cattle sacrifice is restricted by law, goats and sheep are used instead.

The breeds

Red ChittagongThe small red cattle of Bangladesh, much sought at Eid markets.SahiwalThe red Punjab breed widely bought in Pakistan.CholistaniThe speckled desert cattle of Cholistan.