QUETTA: Muhammad Saad walked through a narrow passage at the largest cattle market in Quetta. He crossed dozens of animals while searching for a bull from the famous Bhagnari breed.
The 18-year-old resident of Shahbaz Town spent hours at the market but could not find a Bhagnari bull within his budget. Still, he remained determined to buy only that breed for Eid Al-Adha.
In Pakistan, families choose beautiful animals for Eid sacrifice as a long-standing tradition. People look for goats, cows, bulls, sheep and camels with shiny coats, strong bodies and unique colors or breeds.
Owners decorate these animals with colorful collars, bells and henna designs. The animals bring joy and excitement to families before Eid and symbolize generosity and gratitude during the festival.
“Our family has always sacrificed Bhagnari bulls and even today we came here to buy the same breed,” Saad told Arab News while searching the market.
“We like the Bhagnari breed the most because it is exceptionally beautiful,” he added.
The Bhagnari breed comes from the agricultural town of Bhagnari in Balochistan’s Kachi district. Every year before Eid Al-Adha, the breed attracts attention across Pakistan because of its highly sought-after bulls.
Bhagnari bulls are tall, heavy and muscular. They have round horns and distinct markings. Their mouths and noses are pitch black, while their knees and feet also carry black coloring.
Many buyers prefer the breed because of its flavorful meat, which families serve to relatives and friends during Eid gatherings.
This season, traders brought hundreds of Bhagnari bulls to the cattle market near Quetta’s Eastern Bypass. Prices range from Rs230,000 to Rs700,000.
Muhammad Asif, a 28-year-old livestock trader, sold 35 bulls this season. He linked the price increase to rising fuel costs in Pakistan.
“These animals come from outside the city. Transport costs rise when petrol prices increase, so prices of the animals also go up,” he said.
Asif said buyers still preferred the breed because of its height, structure and beauty.
“Despite the higher prices, people are still buying these bulls,” he added.
Bhagnari is an agricultural region where the Nari River irrigates vast areas of farmland. Farmers avoid chemical fertilizers, which gives the animals a clean and natural diet.
Haji Ilyas, a farmer whose family has bred bulls for five decades, said local farmers do not use fertilizers even for wheat and sorghum crops.
“That is why our livestock stay healthier than others,” he told Arab News by phone from Bhagnari.
“The meat tastes better because of the natural environment and pure feed,” he added.
At the Quetta cattle market, Muhammad Umar from Nawa Killi also searched for a Bhagnari bull for Eid.
“These bulls represent the identity of Balochistan. People buy them because they are beautiful in every way,” he said.
He admitted that the prices shocked him.
“But we are still searching because we must perform this sacred ritual,” he added.
