Old Town Bamenda, infront of the Mankon Customary Court and GPS, several Muslim faithfuls are converging here throughout this week to buy rams ahead of the upcoming Muslim feast of Tabaski or Eid al-Adha
The place has been turned into a striving sheep market with over 150 sheep on sale daily. Others are selling items ranging from sweets to traditional remedies. Buyers from across Bamenda and beyond come by through out the day in hope of buying a ram that will be used for the feast of Tabaski.
Many buyers complain of the high prices. “A ram I usually buy for 50-60,000 now sells at over 75,000 FRS” Mariam Ashia tells City Web.
Madam Ramatu Issa, tells us she came all the way from Nkwen but seems stranded because of the prices of ram. ” The first thing about Salah is the ram, because that is the main part of the sacrifice. When we have the ram then the rest can fellow” she explained in pidgin English.
“Ram is so expensive, rams sell for 80 to 120,000 frs….but we have no choice as it’s a very important aspect of the feast” Garba Sani explained to me.
Haruna a herdsmen said his rams sell as from “30,000 FRS for the smallest size to 150,000 FRS for the biggest” The cost he explained is affected by the sex of the sheep, the size and where it’s comes from.
“We buy sheep from the interior of the region with insecurity and transport greatly affecting cost” he explained in pidgin English.
For Madam Ramatu, the feast will only be complete once she gets a ram for the family. She will proceed to buy other items like rice, corn flour and Chin-Chin and drinks amongst other.
The feast of Tabaski comes up on Friday June 6, 2025 and is celebrated the world over by all Muslim faithfuls. It’s is observed in Cameroon as a public holiday.
Tabaski honours the willingness of prophet Abraham to sacrifice his only son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God.
By Abongwa Fozo
