Morocco celebrates the Fiesta del Cordero (Eid al-Adha), although without lamb. The sacrifice of this animal, scheduled for Saturday, has been suspended This year for the drought that hits the country and economic difficulties. It is the fourth time in the story that this decision is made. Mohamed VI announced three months ago, which also holds the religious position of Emir of the believers. This has caused a thin environment. The country prepares: thousands of citizens take their bags and travel to meet the family, shops lower the barrier and day -to -day rate begins to slow down. Although the usual transfer is not seen. No cars or vans transporting lambs From one place to another. Nor are they heard, since in the cities, people keep them on the roofs or in improvised enclosures on the street. The sharpeners, common in the previous days, have not walked through the streets offering their services; Nor the straw vendors.
“Normally, the week before the party you already feel the atmosphere. This year is not sothe party is Saturday, but we do not have the feeling, ”explains a young man from Rabat. He, like many citizens who are under 29 years old, is the first time they will live this party, the most important of the year for Muslims, without sacrifice.”It’s strange”, Says. In many houses, even though the sacrifice is not going to be celebrated, they will continue with the entire party protocol: collective prayer, meet with family and turn on the embers to eat skewers.
In the absence of lamb, households have come to butchers To fill the meat fridge, which has caused an increase in demand. Citizens have encountered a increase of prices. The meat of this animal is currently around 13 euros per kilo, although some products such as the liver have reached 20 euros per kilo. A price that in recent years has not stopped climbing. This Thursday, in the central market of Rabatnext to the butcher shop, they had a dozen whole lambs that were displaying as the clients bought. In other markets, they have had to lower the barrier by having finished all gender. Many have chosen to add the chicken to the party menu, which is cheaper. The most predictors have done something that in the past had never been able to: buy the meat with weeks in advance and save it in the freezer.
The price of living lambs has been increasing in recent years and, for many, buying one to sacrifice the day of the party has become a Quebradero of head But, above all, pocket. The previous years, they were worth between 300 and 400 euros. Even families with fewer resources had resigned from it. Therefore, this year many live it with some relief. The decision to suspend it has also been a break for many of the womenwhich are the ones that assume most of the tasks, especially in the kitchen. “For us this party supposes a lot job”, Explains one of them. He says that, once the animal is sacrificed by man, they are the ones who are responsible for cleaning the flesh and preparing it to cook.
A Decision of the Monarch
Last year there were already rumors about whether or not this party would be suspended, although it did not happen. Finally, last February, Mohamed VI, through a Palace statement, “invited” citizens to “refrain“To sacrifice this animal. He argued that“ its celebration can be harmful“For citizens,” especially for those with limited income. “He explained that” the challenges climatic y economic those facing our country ”have caused a“ substantial decrease ”of the number of lambs. It is the first time that the current monarch makes this decision; his father, Hassan II, already did it in 1963, 1981 and 1996. On those occasions, he was suspended by serious droughts, economic turbulences or social discomfort.
These monarch’s words have been taken as a prohibition For the authorities. They have launched a wide campaign to close los markets and cattle trade spaces for the sale of animals for sacrifice, according to the newspaper. “Strict instructions have been issued to local governors and managers to enforce this prohibition,” explains the same medium.
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