Blacksmiths pass busy time as Eid-ul-Azha nears

Blacksmiths are passing busy time making sharp tools used for slaughtering sacrificial animals and processing the meat, as the Eid-ul-Azha is only a few days away.

Our Lalmonirhat Correspondent reports: A good number of people are approaching blacksmiths for machetes, choppers, knives and other iron-made tools.

Depending on the sizes of tools and quality of the iron used, machetes are priced between Tk 300 and Tk 800, butcher knives between Tk 200 and Tk 300, small knives between Tk 70 and Tk 200 and cleavers between Tk 300 and Tk 500.

Many blacksmiths have stopped receiving fresh orders to make tools as they are too busy, said Nur Islam, 48, a resident of Saptana in Lalmonirhat town.

The demand of tools used for slaughtering animals sees a sharp rise during Eid while many people bring damaged tools for repair, said several blacksmiths including Subodh Kumar Karmakar and Suresh Chandra Karmakar at Mahishkhocha Bazar in Aditmari upazila during this correspondent’s visit there yesterday.

Blacksmith Maqbul Hossain, 56, at Bhelabari Haat in Aditmari upazila said usually they earn Tk 400 to Tk 600 a day but it rises to over Tk 1500 ahead of Eid.

Knife sharpeners also get added work during this time. They are sharpening knives and cleavers for Tk 70 to Tk 100 per piece.

Other items used during slaughter of animals – pieces of tree trunks, bamboo mats and bags for disposal of cattle waste are also in high demand.

Citing gradual increase in prices of raw materials like iron, charcoal and wood as a problem, several smiths said facilities like banks loans on easy terms would help them make and market the tools easily.

Our Sylhet Correspondent adds: Blacksmiths are working long hours ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as people are coming for machetes, choppers, knives and other sharp iron-made tools.

Considering the size of the tool and the quality of the iron, a machete is priced between Tk 500 and Tk 1,200, a butcher’s knife between Tk 250 and Tk 500, a small knife between Tk 100 and Tk 300 and cleavers between Tk 400 and Tk 700 in the local markets.

Topkhana, Kazirbazar, Mirabazar and Ambarkhana in Sylhet city are well-known for smithies while the tools are sold at every bazaar of the city.

While visiting the blacksmiths at Topkhana and Amberkhana area, this correspondent found that they are passing busy hours.

The sale this year is good although the price is higher than last year’s, said Anongo Karmakar, a blacksmith of Topkhana area.

Several blacksmiths of the area said the period before the Eid-ul-Azha is the only time of the year when they do good business.

Blacksmiths demand support like soft loan from banks, so that they do not have to depend on moneylenders who charge high interest.