Nigeria’s economic woes hit Eid ram sales

AFP, KANO: With the naira currency in free fall and inflation soaring, few Nigerians can escape the country’s economic troubles—and that includes Muslims preparing for Eid al-Adha.
Livestock traders and buyers said the sale of rams for the annual festival of sacrifice have dropped sharply compared with last year, as Nigerians look to prioritise spending.
“Sales have stalled,” complained Ibrahim Shuaibu, a ram trader at the Hauren Shanu livestock market
on the outskirts of Kano, the commercial hub and biggest city in Nigeria’s mainly
Muslim north.
“Last year by this time I had sold more than 30 rams but I have so far sold not more than four this season,” he told AFP on Friday, his face sweaty from the scorching sun as he waited for customers.       
Animals are slaughtered during Eid to signify followers’ submission to Allah, with the meat shared among family, friends and the needy.
The wealthy often buy several rams to distribute and the run-up to the festival is normally the busiest time of year for livestock traders.
“One person would come and buy 50 rams at once to distribute as gifts to people,” said ram vendor Abubakar Ibrahim, at Kano’s Hotoro market.
“But up till now not a single person has bought five rams at a go from this market.”

 

Nigerias economic woes hit Eid ram sales

AFP, KANO: With the naira currency in free fall and inflation soaring, few Nigerians can escape the countrys economic troublesand that includes Muslims preparing for Eid al-Adha. Livestock traders and buyers said the sale of rams for the annual festival of sacrifice have dropped sharply compared with last year, as Nigerians look to prioritise spending. Sales have stalled, complained Ibrahim Shuaibu, a ram trader at the Hauren Shanu livestock market on the outskirts of Kano, the commercial hub and biggest city in Nigerias mainly Muslim north. Last year by this time I had sold more than 30 rams but I have so far sold not more than four this season, he told AFP on Friday, his face sweaty from the scorching sun as he waited for customers. Animals are slaughtered during Eid to signify followers submission to Allah, with the meat shared among family, friends and the needy. The wealthy often buy several rams to distribute and the run-up to the festival is normally the busiest time of year for livestock traders. One person would come and buy 50 rams at once to distribute as gifts to people, said ram vendor Abubakar Ibrahim, at Kanos Hotoro market. But up till now not a single person has bought five rams at a go from this market.