Like every year, a daylong fish fair was held at Utholi Battala in Shibganj upazila of Bogra on Tuesday, marking the Nabanna Utsab, a traditional harvest festival. The fair was abuzz with buyers and sellers throughout the whole day. From morning to midnight, people from all walks of life gathered at this fish fair.
It has been learnt that a traditional fish fair is being held at Utholi Battala in Shibganj upazila of Bogra for about 250 years, marking the Nabanna Utsab. Although the fair was held on the occasion of Nabanna, it has now transformed into a fish fair.
Every year, special arrangements are made at about 20 villages in Shibganj upazila, including Utholi, Rathbari, Narayanpur, Dhondakola, Sadullapur, Berabala, Akanpara, Debipur, Garibpur, Gujia, Rahabal, Daridah, Kichak, Atmul, Aliarhat, Bhaierpukur, Pirab, Jamurhat and Buriganjhat and nearby villages. Also known as “Jamai Mela”, every family invites their daughters and sons-in-law in advance. Traders set up stalls of fish, including Rui, Katla, and Chital at the fairs in Mahasthan, Mokamtala and Utholi Battala in Shibganj.
Apart from fish, new potatoes, vegetables, sweets, and children's toy shops worth crores of taka are traded on the occasion of the fair. Various types of fish, including box carp, katla, rui, boal, chital, silver carp, and brigade carp are sold at the fair.
These fish are sold at Tk 300-Tk 1,500 per kg depending on their size. At this fair, new potatoes are sold at Tk 500 per kg, although potato was sold at Tk 300 last year. Traders sell fish and produce worth several crores of taka at this one-day fair.
Fish trader Abdul Majid said that the asking price for a box carp weighing 18 kgs is Tk 800 per kg. Another seller Rezaul Haque said that a buyer bought 15-kg katla fish from his shop at Tk 1,500. Businessman Abu Sayeed said that the sale at the fish fair is quite good, so he brings big fish every year.
