Historic festival: livestock fair continues in Dera Ghazi Khan

Seven-day event featuring several attractions offers leisure activities to local people

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The centuries-old traditional cattle fair continues along Sakhi Sarwar Road after its festive inauguration last Tuesday.

The seven-day cattle fair is being held to offer leisure facilities to local people and features several attractions including horse and camel dances, tent pegging and sword dance.

Cattle Market Management Company Managing Director Mohammad Younus Khaitran said that the festival has been held for centuries as a symbol of the arrival of spring and showcases the culture of the region.

It was regarded as a traditional gathering from old times and people from different regions and mountainous area used to gather at the fair year after year, he added. “The festival is also the main place of meetings and forming contacts.”

People used to barter their cattle for other items needed by them, he further said. “Camels provided a significant source of income for the people besides public entertainment.”

The cattle fair has been organised after five years following interest shown by the Punjab chief minister. The participants of the fair were drawn towards the cavalcade of unique cattle species including livestock department’s Blue Ravi buffalo, Dajli bullock, Mandri sheep, Nakri, Nachi, Babri and Deenpanah goats, Cholistan and Sahiwal cows and other breeds.

Ijaz Imran, a village resident, told The Express Tribune that he worked in Saudi Arabia and when he came to know of the festival, he came to visit it with his children. He added, “We used to attend this fair with my father from my childhood days and now I bring my children to this historic fair.”

He maintained that his family was having a good time as his children enjoyed toys and amusement rides.

Mohammad Mujahid, a horse breeder, said that horses and dogs of superior breeds have been brought to the fair for sale. “Even today, horse riding in the Koh-e-Suleman area is an important means of transportation while dogs are important for guarding.”

Dr Munir Ahmed, a cattle breeder, said that this festival is important because superior breeds of goats, sheep and other animals are available for sale in the same place and farmers are also coming here. “The festival needs to be better organised,” he asserted

The festival, which continues until March 3, will promote the regional culture and refresh its centuries-old traditions, while also encouraging local talent.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2020.