http://www.kantipuronline.com/archive/kpost/2002-7-29/kp_frontpg.htmHundreds throng to Merchelek to drink yak blood
<snip>
By Ghanashyam Khadka
MARCHELEK (Mustang) July 28
Devendra Bahadur K.C., chairman of now defunct Bhagawati Village Development Committee in remote Myagdi district in west Nepal, walked for three days just to have yak blood.
But K.C. is not the only one who believes that drinking the blood of the mountainous animal would cure gastric diseases.
Hundreds of people are thronging to Marchelek of Tukuche village in a mountainous district of Mustang to drink the yak blood.
Marchelek, otherwise a sleepy village, wears a festive look at present. Yak owners are busy making fast bucks selling fresh blood to hundreds of villagers coming there from nearby districts. People hold a strong belief that drinking yak blood cures gastric diseases rendering a sound health.
The traditional fare of sucking yak blood has attracted many villagers from neighbouring districts. Surendra Adhikari of Mallaj village of Parbat district is attending the fare for the second time. As the yak blood cured his gastric problem last year, he is here again to repeat the same feat, said Adhikari.
A cup of blood costs around Rs. 50 and people believe that this is quite cheap for the treatment of gastric, visitors say.
<snip>