With the holy Eid-ul-Azha approaching, the sacrificial animal markets have become increasingly busy. Alongside this, blacksmiths and hardware stores across the country are also witnessing a surge in activity.

Customers are crowding these shops to buy cleavers, butchers’ knives, kitchen knives, and machetes. At Dhaka's traditional Gabtoli cattle market, in addition to sacrificial animals, various tools for slaughtering and meat processing are also being sold.

This Thursday (June 5), right at the main entrance of the market, several blacksmith shops can be seen. In front of these shops, sharp and shiny cleavers, knives, and machetes are neatly displayed on benches. Alongside purchasing cattle, many customers are also visiting these shops. The craftsmen are experiencing a busy time.

A quick survey of the shops reveals that machetes are being sold for Tk 600 to Tk 1,000 depending on weight, while small and large knives for skinning and cutting meat are priced between Tk 150 and Tk 1,000. Special long knives made for slaughtering cows are being sold for Tk 800 to Tk 2,000.

Craftsman Uttam Kumar said, “Workload increases every Eid. I have to stay up at night making knives of various sizes. The highest demand is for knives, though cleavers and machetes are also selling well.”

Customer Iqbal Hossain said, “I buy new knives and blades every year before Eid. They don’t get much use afterward, so I prefer to buy sharp, new tools just for the occasion.”