"Our salaries aren't enough to afford to sacrifice an animal, but we still want to enjoy beef on Eid."
These were the words of Shanto (pseudonym), who came to buy beef from the makeshift meat markets on the evening of Eid-ul-Azha in Dhaka’s Rayer Bazar area.
Shanto, working as a sales officer at a marketing firm, said: “I went to regular butcher shops, but they were asking Tk900 per kg. So, I came to buy from here.”
He was talking about the makeshift meat markets that are set up on every Eid day in the capital to sell the surplus meat of the sacrificial animals.
The spirit of Eid-ul-Azha goes beyond consuming meat and sharing it with people who cannot afford it. According to Islam, a portion of the meat from sacrificial animals is distributed among poor people for free.
However, there are some who take this opportunity to collect meat from various affluent people and sell it to people who cannot sacrifice animals on their own.
In Rayer Bazar, Insan Ali, a vegetable seller, has taken on a new role during Eid.
"I’m selling surplus meat at Tk600/kg," Ihsan explained. He was selling 5lg bags. "We break the large pieces into smaller sizes and pack them before selling."
Since the afternoon, Insan sold 20kgs of meat and planning to sell at least 100kgs.
He sourced the meat from housemaids and others who received more than they could consume. “I purchase meat from them for Tk350-400/kg.”
Monir, a rickshaw puller, was among Insan's customers. "I pulled my rickshaw since morning, and now I'm here to buy meat for my family," he said.
Not only Ihsan, there are many others who bring the meat collected from households and sit on the roadside to attract customers.
Like Rayer Bazar, makeshift beef markets were set up in other areas of the capital, including Rampura, Badda, Mirpur, Notun Bazar and Moghbazar.
Some take this as an opportunity to make huge profit.
Shahjahan, a private car driver collected 12kgs of meat from his employer. He kept half and is asking to sell the surplus beef at Tk1,000/kg.
Upon asking about the exorbitant price, he replied that security guards and drivers get the highest quality meat. Thus, they can sell at a higher price point.
There are some who sell their surplus meat as a necessity.
Rokibul, a security guard at a residence in Dhanmondi, is like them. He sold all of his meats to a driver who works in the same building.
Rokibul said: “I do not have my family here. Besides I do not have a refrigerator to store the meats.”
Some residents of the flats gave him raw beef and Rokibul is expecting others will send him cooked ones. “I think I will receive cooked beef anyways, thus I do not want to take the hassle of cooking.”
The money he earned from selling the meat would be sent to his family in Bhola, Barisal.
