In Côte d’Ivoire, sheep markets, such as that of Port Bouët in Abidjan, are taken over by buyers in search of bargains as Tabaski 2023, a Muslim holiday called elsewhere Aïd al-Adha or Aïd el-Kebir, approaches . Reporting.
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
In Côte d’Ivoire, Eid (Tabaski) is celebrated on June 28, 2023 by the Muslim community. In the meantime, the families are preparing the party. With one major concern: getting a sheep.
In Abidjan, the economic capital, nine sheep markets have been set up. Because of the rains, customers wait until the last minute to buy their sheep.
” The prices are high, they want to kill us »
At the Port-Bouët sheep market, there are those who prospect… “ We’re going to try to buy a big beast », warns a buyer. Asked about the number of people expected at his home, he replied: “ At home, twelve to thirteen people at most. Without taking into account the shares that must be given to neighbors who have not been able to buy them. »
And then there are efficient people, who find THE ideal sheep at first sight. Mariam Diané however rails on the price: “ It’s very complicated. Be serious. The prices are high, they want to kill us. It’s expensive but hey, as we know he’s a good guy, he’s gone down to 380,000. »
Between 100,000 and 500,000 CFA francs per sheep
Here, prices vary between 100,000 CFA francs and 500,000 CFA francs, between 150 and 760 euros. Negotiation depends on the size of the sheep.
Some sellers come from Mali and Burkina Faso: they pass on the cost of the hassles encountered along the way to the selling price of their sheep, as Ibrahim Touré explains: “ The jihadists, they tire us out there. That’s what they want: sheep and it’s expensive. Coming on the road, the jihadists block the cars that take away the animals. It tires us too much there. ” He pursues : ” They ask us for money. If we don’t give money, they will block the animals. »
This year, in Côte d’Ivoire, nearly 125,000 sheep were sold on the markets.
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