Senegal

Saskia Houttuin | NOSIdrissa Cissé takes care of the brand new technology of Ladoum sheep

NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 09:34

• Saskia Houttuin

  correspondent Afrika

• Saskia Houttuin

  correspondent Afrika

Muslims worldwide will have fun the Feast of the Sacrifice within the coming days, which commemorates the truth that the prophet Ibrahim was keen to sacrifice his son, however finally needed to slaughter a sheep.

In Senegal, the place the celebration is named Tabaski, it’s by far the most important occasion of the yr. Tailors are working additional time to make festive garments, and barbecues are on provide within the grocery store.

However nothing beats buying a sheep, a convention that’s taken very severely in Senegal. You may’t ignore it on the streets of Dakar: animals are on the market in every single place within the metropolis, photos of sheep are on billboards alongside the aspect of the highway. Sheep farmers additionally promote on social media, akin to Fb.

On the eve of the Feast of Sacrifice, a sheep market within the Senegalese capital Dakar can also be busy. On the market is, amongst different issues, a ram named Joe Biden, for at least 38,000 euros. “As a result of it’s the greatest and probably the most stunning,” says Abou Kane, the proprietor of Bergeries Galoyaa sheep breeding firm that focuses on probably the most prestigious sheep breed in West Africa: the Ladoum.

In Senegal, these sheep, identified for his or her shiny coat and imposing measurement (a shoulder top of about 120 centimeters), are frequently in comparison with a Ferrari or Rolex. “As a result of they’re the highest of their class,” says Kane. “However my different sheep are so much cheaper.”

These are golden occasions for Kane and different sheep farmers. Till the Feast of Sacrifice, which begins tomorrow in Senegal, he’ll hold his workplace below a big white occasion tent within the capital’s enterprise district. There are a couple of thousand sheep, the site visitors is typically drowned out by loud bleating.

Saskia Houttuin | NOSThe ram Joe Biden is without doubt one of the costliest sheep in Senegal

On common, a ram doesn’t value almost as a lot because the very costly ‘Joe Biden’, however Senegalese folks nonetheless should pay fairly a bit to have fun Tabaski. Transformed, a sheep prices round 200 euros across the vacation, nearly as a lot as a mean month-to-month wage. As a result of the costs of transport and animal feed have risen, it’s dearer than in earlier years.

Erekwestie

Many Senegalese save all yr spherical to afford a sheep, some even go into debt for it. “We do it for the respect of our household,” says a mom of three. To purchase her sheep, she travels to a suburb of Dakar, the place the animals are barely cheaper.

Abdoulaye Diallo, who sells cups of espresso on the aspect of the highway, can not afford a sheep this yr. “I feel that is very dangerous, usually I at all times succeed,” he says. “In accordance with Islam, it’s not an obligation, however in Senegal, as the top of the household, you might be anticipated to purchase a sheep with Tabaski.” He fears the response of his spouse, to whom he has but to inform the dangerous information.

Saskia Houttuin | NOSIdrissa Cissé with a Ladoum sheep

Standing performs an essential position when buying a Tabaski sheep, says Idrissa Cissé. Those that can afford it purchase a dearer sheep. He works at his uncle Kane’s sheepfold, the place a brand new technology of Ladoums is bred. Posters of their prize-winning animals grasp on the secure wall. “Ramses II, Miss France, we like to call our sheep after essential figures,” says Cissé.

And ‘Joe Biden’? In accordance with proprietor Kane, it has nearly been offered and negotiations are in full swing. However there is a slim probability he’ll be sacrificed tomorrow morning. “The brand new proprietor desires to proceed breeding him. He’s too costly to eat.”