Karachi family raises sacrificial animals at home

A Karachi resident has described the deep emotional attachment his family shares with the sacrificial animals they raise at home each year for Eid-ul-Adha, saying the animals are treated as full members of the household.

Talking to Dialogue Pakistan in its series, Qurbani Aik Ehsaas, the man said the home feels empty once Eid passes and the animals are no longer there, adding that his family always keeps birds and livestock at home and never leaves the house without them.

“We consider them part of the family and part of the home,” he said.

According to the owner, the animals are not displayed publicly for attention or exhibition purposes. They are only taken outside briefly once a week for bathing before being brought back indoors.

He went on to introduce several bulls being raised for future sacrifices, including animals from the well-known Gulabi breed of Larkana and Nasirabad. One of the bulls, named Kajla, is around 14 months old, while others are between four months and 16 months old.

The owner said the animals’ names, including “Henry” and “Lara”, were chosen by his daughter.

Describing the animals’ behaviour, he explained that they respond affectionately to human interaction and often lean against or cling to family members when petted.

“These animals bring life and activity into the home,” he said, adding that caring for them forms a central part of his daily routine.

He explained that each morning begins with feeding the animals before he has breakfast himself. Afterward, he gives them water, cleans their feeding containers and only then prepares for work. Upon returning home in the evening, he spends much of his time sitting with the animals.

The owner also detailed the specially prepared feed given to the bulls, which includes wheat, crushed maize and barley mixed according to seasonal requirements.

However, he noted that bulls can sometimes become aggressive despite being raised with constant care and affection, warning that they can unexpectedly injure even the people who feed them daily.

Speaking about Eid-ul-Adha, the man said the emotional difficulty of sacrificing animals raised from infancy becomes overwhelming for the family.

He explained that the bulls are often purchased as two-and-a-half-month-old calves and raised for an entire year, creating a strong emotional bond.

“When the time for sacrifice comes, the heart feels heavy,” he said. “I can no longer bear performing the sacrifice myself, so I have handed that responsibility to my son.”