Unique fair

A unique fair is arranged by local fishermen on the second day of Baishakh every year in Nasirnagar upazila of the district where barter system still exists.

Morad Mridha said the local people buy dried fish in the fair at Kulikunda village in exchange for rice, potato, onion, garlic, mango and other agricultural produce. This barter system, however, is changing now and dried fish is also sold for money.

Locals said the fair has been continuing for over 100 years without any management committee. 

Upazila Fishermen's Association General Secretary Shishir Das said they have been enjoying the fair since their childhood.

This correspondent saw over 200 traders selling their dried fish of various kinds and eggs of hilsa and other fish.

Traders from Chittagong, Sylhet, Sunamganj and other parts of the country sell dried fish in the fair.

Brahmanbaria Government Annada High School teacher Chinmoy Bhattacharya said the tradition of the fair is age-old, adding that he visits the fair every year to buy dried fish of native species.

Nikhil Das, a trader of Brahmanbaria town, said though the number of customers is less, the sale is good this year.