After reaching Myagdi, Amrit Thakali of Pokhara in Kaski district also drank fresh blood obtained from yaks. He has been drinking yak blood since the last seven years.
“For me, yak blood has proved to be a boon,” he said. “I'll drink every day for three days.”
Like Bhuma and Amrit, many people from different parts of the country thronged to Kowang to take part in yak blood festival on Wednesday.
They lined up, waiting for their turn to drink yak blood and eat yak meat.
Every year, Dhaulagiri yak farmers organize the festival during which people gather to drink yak blood. During the fair, fresh blood is extracted by puncturing veins in a yak´s neck, without killing the cow.
Locals believe that drinking yak´s blood is a cure for many aliments. Fresh yak blood cures gastritis, acidity, jaundice, muscle sprain and body swelling, among others, they believe. As yaks feed on herbs found in the high hills, their blood is said to be full of nutritious and medicinal elements.
More than 300 participants in the fair drank yak blood on the first day alone, according to the festival organizer, Dhaulagiri Yak Farmers' Group. The group's chair Sakendra Gauchan informed that 600 yaks have been brought to the festival.
People from as far as Kathmandu, Chitwan, Kaski, Baglung, Parbat and some other districts have reached Myagdi to take part in the festival.
One of the farmers brought 100 to 200 yaks for the festival. “A person drinks up to 10 glasses of yak blood. The money earned at the festival is sufficient for a farmer in Myagdi to see him through for the entire year.
The fresh blood of yak sells at Rs 200 a glass. Around 40-65 glasses of fresh blood are extracted from one yak.
Meanwhile, district livestock service office of Myagdi said that there is no strong basis to support the claim that yak blood has any health benefits. Likewise, animal rights activists have also been denouncing the festival.
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