A SUITABLE COW
Most of us are rather young and know little about buying cows, but it is something most of us will have to do at some time or other. And let us tell you something, helping your dad or your uncle choose the perfect cow will go a long way to giving you cred in your family which is an essential part of growing up. You need to convince your parents you are well on your way to becoming a mature adult so they can trust you with the freedom we all know you don't actually deserve.
This is going to be a how-to on buying cows -- your COW 101 course, giving you all the basics you need to know.
CHOOSING THE HAAT
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -- Albus Dumbledore.
As Eid draws nearer, temporary markets and haats will start springing up all around until all you can hear is an endless stream of moos. Your best bet is going to be any of those 'Boro Goru-Chhagol er Haat'. The buyer needs to choose a haat close to his home, but it has to be one where he can find what he's looking for. The small temporary markets usually don't have a huge variety to choose from. If you're looking for a Rajasthani camel or a Holstein Friesian cow instead of the native breeds, or if you want to weigh all your options, it's advisable to go to the Gabtoli haat, which is the biggest haat in Dhaka. You're sure to be bamboozled with all the available options but you'll definitely find something that suits your price range and preferences. In some areas of the city, animals are sold on the streets, but these outlets offer little to choose from. They might serve your purpose, or not. Choose wisely, padawan.
CHOOSING YOUR ANIMAL
First and foremost, the cow has to be eligible for sacrifice. Whether it will look dazzling in a selfie is secondary. A cow suitable for sacrifice must be at least 2 years old, and it must have 2 teeth on the lower jaw. If the prospect of looking into its mouth scares you (you wimp), get some minion to do it for you. But make sure it's done since it is one of the prerequisites. You will find plenty of minions in the haat (charges applicable).
Make sure the cow is healthy. Go all, "Shabbash beta" with good strong slaps on its back and see how it responds. Healthy cows usually have wet nostrils, so it's actually a good thing if your cow is dripping stuff from its nose. Some haats have their own in-house doctors. Cows that are diseased are ineligible for sacrifice.
Once you can tick off the above two, you can then look for beauty. Don't buy a pretty cow so you can show it off. A good-looking cow can actually be good because it means you have put more thought into choosing the animal you will ultimately sacrifice in the name of the Almighty. Cows that have a glow about them are not necessarily pregnant: so that could be a criterion for good looks. Generally, people look at the size and build of the cow and the colour and sheen of the hair on its body.
WHEN TO BUY
The time of the purchase is crucial in getting a good price and a good buy. Buy it too early, and you will have to look after it for far too long. Buy it too late, and whaddoyaknow, Eid's over. The prime time for purchasing cows is 2-3 days before Eid. The market is fully supplied at this point and you will definitely find lots of cows, many of them to your liking, but they will mostly be overpriced. If you want to gamble for a cheap price, you might want to wait until the last day but the market is too unpredictable at that time. The night before Eid is when all hell breaks loose. Dealers are desperate to sell, and buyers are desperate to buy, you might get a very good price but then again the dealer can take advantage of your situation. The best option probably is to go to the market when it is stable, a day or two before Eid.
GETTING A GOOD BARGAIN
Cow dealers can be friendly, but they can also be like sharks if they sniff the slightest trace of weakness or inexperience. Getting a good bargain takes all sorts of tricks. You can pretend to be interested in the cow's (more expensive) best friend, and then disagree with the price and then settle for the cow you originally wanted to get. You don't let the seller know you are too interested. Play it cool.
When bargaining, make sure you ask for a price slightly below the actual value. The dealer will initially ask you for too much money, and you ask for too little and then you settle for the actual value. But make sure you don't ask for too little. This tends to annoy the dealers and they refuse to compromise much. Don't treat the sellers badly, or yell at them. If you strike up a good conversation, you might convince the seller to give you a good discount. But it has to be a trade-off between being nice and coming off as weak. Often, you need to get a firm grip on the reins and drive down the price as far as you can. Prepare to walk away when you feel the seller is almost convinced. It is best to take someone with you who is well-versed in the language of haggling. Experience counts.
AFTER THE PURCHASE
A 5 percent tax is imposed on every animal bought from a registered market and a receipt is provided for this payment. Once this process is complete, you are to take the animal home. Some people decorate their animals with paper ornaments. It is often traditional to do so. These ornaments can be bought from outside the markets. People generally bring the cow home by walking it from the haat. The walk home can be eventful in some cases as the cows often tend to make a run for it. So, hold the rope tight and make sure you don't weigh 30 or 40 kgs. Once home, don't forget to feed it and take care of it. Try not to kill the cow before the actual day of Eid.
PHOTOS: DARSHAN CHAKMA
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