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Maghe Sankranti: meat-sellers’ delight

KATHMANDU, JAN 16 - Meat shops did brick business in the capital today, thanks to Maghe Sankranti, a festival which sees non-Brahmin Nepalis feast specially on the wild boars, in addition to chicken, mutton and fish. Meat sellers selling wild boar meat erected makeshift stalls today in Thamel, displaying freshly chopped pork flesh that attracted buyers right from the morning.
Ramesh Shahi, 42, a resident of Thamel, sold pork worth five wild boars today, at a rate of Rs. 250 a kilo. "I have been rearing wild boars since ten years specially for Maghe Sankranti," said Shahi barely managing to answer the queries posed by City Post, owing to the rush he faced in dealing with customers.
Due to recent rise in demand of pork in Kathmandu, Shahi has also been procuring wild boars from Trishuli. "Pork does not sell well normally. However, Maghe Sankranti is an exception. So, I make sure that I have some five wild boars at my disposal during this festival," said Shahi, declining to divulge how much he profits per kilo.
Sharada Khadgi, 25, was, however reluctant to answer questions. "My husband knows the trade better. Ask him," she said, preferring to attend to her customers than answer the questions of a stranger.
The meat stalls poised a not-so-pleasant sight in Thamel. However, the fact that most of the stalls were empty by noon trifled aesthetic considerations in comparison to the value of pork, and that too of wild boar, which is a rarity in the city.
"We do not sell meat in this area everyday. We have our own shops," said Dinesh, 22, a resident of Lazimpat. "We made an exception during this festival."Posted on: 2004-01-17 03:52

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