On a breezy afternoon just outside of St. Louis in northern Senegal, Mohammed Fall tended to his sheep in an open-air market just off the main road on a sandy field dotted with trees.
Fall is from neighboring Mauritania, and he said that there are about 20,000 animals waiting to be sold. Dozens of other Mauritanian merchants like Fall have been coming to the town of St. Louis for many years. It’s a painstaking trip but one that is also good for business.
“Almost every region of Mauritania is represented here,” Fall said. “We leave our homes and head to the border with Senegal. Then, we take a ferry boat with all these sheep. And once we cross the border, we load them onto trucks to bring the animals all the way here.”
Depending on its weight, each animal can sell for the equivalent of $100 to $250.
This is one of the busiest times of the year for these men as Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, approaches. Following tradition, Muslim families around the world will slaughter an animal, like a sheep or goat, to commemorate the willingness of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, in obedience to God.
Eid al-Adha is a second, major Muslim holiday that comes after Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. It is celebrated on the third day of the Hajj, or pilgrimage, in Saudi Arabia.
Muslims in this West African country relish the tradition that also brings moments of prayer and unites families and friends around the table.
Sophie Sèye welcomes many visitors during the time of Eid. She shares her home with her husband MaFall Ndoye, their 18-year-old son and also with Ndoye’s second wife Khady Diamé — whom she refers to as her sister — and their young child.
“Whoever enters this house is welcome, and we will celebrate together.”
“My sister’s family will come and they will be my guests,” Sèye said.” My brothers and their children will come and she will do the very same. Whoever enters this house is welcome, and we will celebrate together.”
In the backyard, Diamé points to the sheep that will soon be slaughtered by the men of the household.
“It’s the joy of having people around that makes it worth all the effort.” Diamé said.
People also want to look their best for all the visitors and family gatherings during the Eid celebrations. It’s also a symbol of renewal. So, those who can afford it will get new clothes to wear.
Tailors at this small shop in central St. Louis have been working long hours to keep up with the demand. In the back, a young man worked the sewing machine while another one ironed a completed piece.
Owner Mar Diop cut blue fabric in the front room.He said the most popular design for men this Eid is a knee-length shirt, or kaftan, and long pants.
Both are made of a lightweight, white cotton fabric that works well in the heat. The shirt is finished with embroidery covering the front buttons.
Despite economic uncertainties and recent political protests in the country that turned deadly a few weeks ago, Diop said he has big ambitions for his shop.
“I want to bring our designs to international destinations,” he explained. “And in the process, I want to allow everyone who works here to succeed in this business.”
He said the shop will stay open until the early hours of Thursday when he hopes to complete the work before joining his family to celebrate.
As for what he plans to wear for Eid, Diop said he hasn’t had a chance to think about it just yet.
“Tailors are the last to make their own attire,” he said. “I have not even started mine. My customers will get their dresses first.”
Related: Canada unveils a first-of-a-kind Eid stamp this year