Sunday, November 29, 2009

Eid, poisoned fish, and stolen cows

Yesterday was Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice. I woke up to a commotion over by the village pond. It was full of people and nets, pulling out fish of all sizes ...and all rather limp. Someone had poisoned the pond during the night with pesticide, so this was the rush to get them to the fishmonger's cold storage as soon as possible. The owner sent off at least eight 3-wheeler tempos before the remaining dead fish were left for whoever wanted to dive for them. This picture was taken today, when there were just a few kids left hoping to get lucky.


One proud fisherman with his catch. (As to whether the pesticide-killed fish would be eaten, there was no question.)


Through the bamboo grove behind the boy, our neighbour family had lost 3 cows just a couple nights before. Thieves had broken in during the night to steal them and sell them at the inflated Eid prices. The chance of these thieves or the fish poisoners being brought to justice is pretty much nil. Like Isaiah 1, Eid at Nondokul this year was lots of sacrifice, but not much justice.