Like elsewhere in the country, blacksmiths in Rajshahi district are busy making sharp tools for slaughtering sacrificial animals and preparing their flesh, with the Eid-ul-Azha approaching.
Though most of the blacksmiths and knife sharpeners of Rajshahi district remained almost jobless during other months, they are now extremely busy with making knives, dao, hasua and other cutting tools by burning iron red and beating those with hammer.
The hastiness of the black smithy and the knife's sharpeners will continue till to the night before the Eid-ul-Azha.
The demand for machetes, choppers, knives and other iron-made tools is on the rise.
The price of the sharp tools varies depending on quality and quantity of the iron. A machete is priced between Tk 450 and Tk 1,000, a butcher knife between Tk 250 and Tk 400, a small knife between Tk 100 and Tk 300 and cleavers between Tk 350 and Tk 550.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, Blacksmiths at Kantakhali Bazaar of Rajshahi district said that most of them were jobless due to an abnormal increase in the price of raw materials and the advent of light, low-cost, ready-made knives and cutting tools in the markets. As a result, people are now reluctant to purchase knives, choppers and axes made locally by blacksmiths.
Yet some people still visit the blacksmiths to repair or re-sharpen their knives and tools ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Joy Dev Babu Karmaker (60)of Kamarpara village under Godagari thana said, nowadays, almost all ready-made tools are available in the markets. As a result, the number of professional blacksmiths is decreasing. Many of the blacksmiths have also abandoned their paternal profession and switched to other jobs. But, during the Eid-ul-Azha, many blacksmiths returned to their old profession to make a brisk business. Specially, one week before the Eid, they remained extremely busy. During this week, they earn more than a half of their income for the entire year.
Uttam Kumar Karmaker(22) of Bidirpur hat informed, he was helping his father at his workshop because of the rush of the Eid. He further mentioned all of their family members remained happy during this time of the year but they are also disappointed by thinking about the days after Eid.
Hafizul(60) of Charghat upazila was sharpening knives and boti at a house in Tikapara of the city. He informed, he earned over taka 2,000 daily by sharpening knives and other cutting tools in houses in the city. For the last seven days, his earning was satisfactory and hoped to continue his work in full swing till night before Eid-ul-Azha.
Other essential components for slaughtering sacrificial animals -- tree trunks, bamboo mats and bags for cattle waste -- are also in high demand in the markets.
Though the blacksmiths are passing busy times ahead of Eid, worries still remain for them.
Many said price of raw materials such as iron, charcoal, wood were increasing every year. If they were able to get banks loans on easy terms, it might help them make and market the tools easily.