Priced out of tradition: Nigerians struggle to afford rams for Eid celebrations

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(4 Jun 2025) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4580736 ASSOCIATED PRESS Ogun State, Nigeria - 4 June 2025 1. Mid of a ram seller's assistant carrying a ram round his neck 2. Ram sellers walking their rams 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Abiodun Akinyoye, Nigerian visiting from London: “We’ve been reading a lot about everything, about the inflation, but I didn’t know it is this bad to be honest with you. Because I obviously came for Eid, am not based here, I came in for Eid, but I didn’t know what we read on the internet can be compared to what is really on the ground; it’s unbelievable, very shocking. The ram that I bought personally around, let’s say, 200,000 Naira (127 US dollars) last year, this year it’s about we start negotiating from 600,000 Naira (380 US dollars).” 4. Various of rams at the Kara ram market 5. Buyer negotiating the cost of a ram 6. Various of rams at the Kara ram market 7. Ram trader Jaji Kaligini at his ram shed 8. SOUNDBITE (Hausa) Jaji Kaligini, Ram trader: “Every seller in the market is crying due to low patronage, and we don’t know what God will do; there’s no patronage. Everyone is suffering, and we don’t know what to do. We are hoping for improved patronage, and we are praying for peace in the country because there’s a problem. Look at these animals. If, as a seller, I don’t sell these rams, what will I do with them? I am feeding them and giving them needed injections. How are we going to survive?” 9. Various of rams at the Kara ram market 10. Various of ram market STORYLINE: As Muslims across Nigeria prepare for Eid al-Adha, the rising cost of living is casting a shadow over celebrations. The price of rams - central to the festival’s traditional animal sacrifice - has surged dramatically, leaving many families struggling to keep up. The traditional ram market in Kara, Ogun State, typically a vibrant hub of activity, is facing an unprecedented slowdown; ram prices have doubled — and in some cases tripled — compared to last year. “The ram that I bought personally around, let’s say, 200,000 naira (127 US dollars) last year; this year, we start negotiating from 600,000 naira (380 US dollars),” said Abiodun, a Nigerian visiting from London. For many, the cherished tradition of sacrificing a ram during Eid al-Adha, a powerful act of faith and gratitude, is now slipping out of reach. Jaji Kaligini, a veteran ram seller in Kara, said he was deeply worried over low sales this year. "Everyone is suffering, and we don’t know what to do," he said. As the Eid festivities draw near, there’s a growing concern that the high cost of living will dampen the celebratory spirit as what was once a proud family ritual becomes a financial burden few can bear. AP Video shot by Dan Ikpoyi =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2796cc088ffd4d0a98ff21b555f247ee