Steep goat prices spoil Eid festivities in Tanzania

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - As Muslims across the world prepare to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Saturday, steep prices of sacrificial animals are putting spokes in the festivities in Tanzania.

The most important Muslim festival marks the culmination of the annual hajj (pilgrimage) rituals in Saudi Arabia.

Also known for the feast of sacrifice, this Islamic holiday is celebrated by sacrificing cattle to distribute a part of the meat to the poor and the relations and family members to recall the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham to Christians and Jews) to sacrifice his son.

It is believed that before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, God provided him with a lamb and accepted his obedience.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, local traders attributed the rising price of goats this year to higher city levies and rising transport costs due to the rise in the price of fuel.

“I have brought many goats to the market but there are not many buyers, I am still hopeful maybe some customers will turn up in the coming days,” said Sadiki Juma, a goat trader.

According to him, in other markets some traders have slightly lowered the price in anticipation of the high turnout of buyers but still, there are fewer buyers.

“The cost of living has gone up, very few residents can afford to buy a goat for the festivities,” said Juma.

Tanzanian Muslims, who make up 35% of the population traditionally sacrifice goats to mark the festivity.

But in the wake of years of economic hardship, the religious ritual has become more expensive.

Kassim Mtega, an imam in the Magomeni suburb in Dar es Salaam, said he had saved 100,000 Tanzanian shillings ($43) over the past four-month to purchase a goat for his family but the price has gone up to 150,000 Tanzanian shillings ($64) within a few days.

“With this money now, I cannot buy a goat. I will instead buy cow meat to eat with the family,” he said.

Although visiting and buying a sacrificial animal from the Vingunguti livestock market is a long-held tradition for many Muslims in Dar es Salaam, the surge in prices has soured festivities.

According to Selemani Mfinanga, manager of the livestock market, the rise in prices of sacrificial animal is driven by market forces of demand and supply.

“When there is a huge demand for goat, not just at this market but anywhere the price will go up, this is simple economics,” Mfinanga told Anadolu Agency.

Mfinanga said the minimum sale price for the goat was Tanzanian shillings 80,000 ($34) this year.

“It all depends on the bargaining power, but it is not fair to blame traders for hiking the price without considering all other factors,” he said.

Alhaj Mussa Salum, the chief imam of Dar es Salaam, urged animal traders to be considerate during this festival by offering a reasonable price.

“Eid al-Adha is a symbolic reminder to us Muslims to trust that Allah is merciful and follow Allah’s revelation even if we don’t understand the wisdom behind that revelation through prophet Ibrahim, I call upon traders not to take advantage of this religious festival to reap profit,” he said.