As the Muslim feast of 'Eid el Adha', locally called 'Tobaski', is fast approaching, this reporter went round in the Kaniing Municipality.to see how business is faring in relation to the festivity. It is a tradition, in keeping with the religion, that when the feast is coming, Muslims, particularly household heads, buy life animals e.g ram, goat, bull, etc, for sacrifice on the day. This is what had motivated the reporter to visit various 'Daral' locations where rams are sold for the 'Tobaski' to talk to the dealers.

Alieu K. Saine, a Gambian national and ram seller, who set up base near the Serekunda West mini stadium on Kairaba Avenue, opposite St. Therese's Upper Basic School, was visited to enquire about sales of his flock of rams. According to Mr. Saine, the business of selling small ruminants is now his preoccupation. He said he bought 359 rams in Misira in neighbouring Senegal and transported them in a truck to the Gambia.

According to Mr. Saine, the trade is not without problems as they have to contend with the cost of transportation from Senegal to The Gambia and buying hay to feed the animals on a daily basis. He also lamented the difficulties encountered on the route with the numerous checkpoints. He said he had a big farm in Madiana where he would keep the animals before Tobaski.

Mr. Saine noted that they have been paying for their animals to cross the ferry in the past years but that this year no charges were asked.

When asked about the cost of the animals and whether they are affordable, he said the prices vary depending on the sizes. He said he sells his rams as low as D2, 500 (Two thousand five hundred dalasi).

"I am here to help the public. I even do give the rams to customers on credit which is payable in three months," said Mr. Saine.

He said the government needs to support them to be able to expand their business in small ruminants.

Ousainou Manga, another ram seller, who said he has been in this trade for thirty years now, complains that for this year the sales are not encouraging. He said people are not.coming to buy as expected. He also laments the high costs involved in transporting the animals all the way from Senegal.

One Amadou Manneh, a sales assistant in a textile shop operated by a Mauritanian, told this reporter that sales are not forthcoming. He however expressed hope that the customers might be coming in their numbers come the last three days before 'Tobaski' when prices significantly go down.

Emmanuel Igfarr, a Nigerian national, who has been selling men and women footwear in the Serrekunda market for more than thirty-years now, said the sales nowadays are very slow. According to him, it is as if a major feast like 'Tobaski' is not approaching.

"Normally, in The Gambia, people use to start making advance preparations for at least a month before major feasts, but this is not the case this year. I'm hoping that we'll make sales in the last three days," said Mr. Igfarr.