Said Delighted as All 85 Cattle from His Bima Herd Sell Out in South Jakarta: Only Two Left

Said explained that his cattle differ from farm stock. In his hometown of Bima, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), the cattle are raised in a traditional way, or what is locally known as ‘sapi umbaran’ (free-range cattle).

“Yes, they are released; the free-range system involves releasing them on the mountainsides, near the foot of Mount Tambora; there are thousands of head. Some people own them and let them roam,” Said said when he was spotted at his sacrificial animals stall, on the edge of Gatot Subroto Street, South Jakarta, on Saturday (23 May 2026).

Caring for the cattle, Said said, has become his daily routine. The challenge in the business of selling sacrificial cattle, he continued, is the long journey from Bima to Jakarta, which he and dozens of his cattle must undertake.

He said the journey takes five to seven days. The cattle are transported by large triple-axle trucks from Bima-Sumbawa-Mataram. From Mataram, he and the herd ferried across the sea to Banyuwangi. After that, they travel by land again to the capital city of Jakarta.

“The crossing is the hard part. Because the ships operated there are limited, only a few vessels. If there were more ships, of course we would get there faster,” he explained.

During the journey aboard the trucks, Said has to ensure the health of his cattle. He feeds and gives water to the cattle on the trucks.

Said admitted that he initially brought 65 cattle to welcome Eid al-Adha this year. But buyer enthusiasm was high, so he brought in another 20 cattle owned by friends and relatives in Bima.

“At first 65 head, up to today we have 85 head with me. I am taking more from friends, relatives there; there are many,” the man who has been selling cattle for 15 years before Eid al-Adha said.

Said explained that he sells sacrificial cattle for all segments of buyers. Some are priced economically, others in the ‘sultan’s class’.

“Well, in terms of weight, the smallest is 210 kilograms, priced at Rp14 million. The highest price is Rp80 million, for a weight of 800 kilograms or more,” said Said.

Said hopes the two cattle still at his stall will soon find buyers. He is optimistic the last two free-range cattle at his stall will be sold.

“They will surely sell,” Said said with optimism.