Centuries-old dried fish fair begins in Brahmanbaria

A two-day traditional dried fish fair began today (15 April) at the Kulikunda Uttar Government Primary School ground in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, with traders expecting sales of around Tk1 crore this year.

The fair is held annually from the second day of the Bengali New Year, and local accounts suggest it has been organised in Kulikunda village for nearly 200 years. It is arranged by the villagers.

The fair started this morning and will continue until tomorrow evening (16 April).

Despite intense heat, buyers and visitors crowded the venue from the morning.

Alongside dried fish, traders have set up stalls with various folk items. Clay toys for children, different snacks and a ferris wheel have also been arranged.

A visit to the fair showed dried fish traders lined up inside the school ground, while stalls of folk products were placed outside.

Traders brought dried fish from Brahmanbaria as well as Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other areas.

The fair has created a festive atmosphere in Kulikunda village, with crowds increasing as the day progressed.

The fair was once based on a barter system, but the practice is gradually disappearing.

Due to high prices of dried fish, traders are no longer interested in barter.

However, to preserve tradition, limited barter trading takes place for about an hour at the start.

Both local freshwater and marine dried fish are available. Buyers said prices are slightly higher this year.

Depending on size and quality, dried fish is selling from Tk600 to Tk3,000 per kg.

Shol is priced at Tk1,400-1,700, Baim at Tk1,800, Aair at Tk1,600-1,800, Tuna at Tk1,500 and Hilsa at Tk1,200 per kg.

Abdullah Al Mamun said he first visited the fair as a child with his father and buys dried fish here every year. He said prices are higher than last year but a wide variety is available.

Hasibur Rahman, a private-sector employee, said he came from Kasba after learning about the fair on Facebook and bought Boal and Shol dried fish.

Hossain Ahmed, a member of the organising committee, said a volunteer team is working to ensure no inconvenience for traders and visitors.