(Friday, 06 January 2012)--Prices of chicken, sheep and goats have more than doubled in Ethiopia ahead of Christmas celebrations on Sunday. Ethiopians, especially those from the Orthodox Church, use the Julian calendar, which means Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and not December 25. The Christmas celebration in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is called Ganna.
Most people go to church on Christmas Day as about half of the country's 80 million people are estimated to be Orthodox Christians.
The festivities began a month ago where most people distance themselves from meat, milk and butter and other milk products. And the Sunday celebrations would give them a license to indulge.
But the festive mood has been dampened by rising prices with chicken now selling for 10 euros from about three euros at the start of the fasting period.
"Slaughtering chicken is a must for families during Ganna," said Selamawit Bekele, an Addis Ababa bargain hunter who had just paid six euro for a small chicken. "That is why traders have made such a surprise increase."
Ethiopians endured rampant price increases last year with prices of basic commodities as inflation soared by more than 30 percent. Prices of sheep, an integral part of the celebrations, have gone up to between 80 and 95 euros from 50 euro. "I am really confused with the price of goats and sheep. This is the first time that prices of gifts have risen so much," complained Mola Tesema.
Borrowing to celebrate
Tesema said he had been forced to change his decision to buy a sheep, and will rather consider buying chickens."I have a big family where we need either a sheep or goat. But the price is worrying," he said.
The high prices have also forced some families to resort to borrowing to do the traditional holiday shopping."Even if I don't have enough money, I will borrow from relatives to buy a goat for the holiday," said Mengistu Tekola, a father of three.
"I have been buying goats for the holidays for the past 10 years."Some families have resorted to pooling their resources to buy at cattle for slaughter.The majority would have their beef raw, which is part of the tradition during the festive season. "My family likes raw meat and there is no need to worry about buying goat or sheep," said Bahailu Workeneh. "I like the sharing of beef because of the raw meat."
Meanwhile, doctors have warned Ethiopian to avoid eating too much fat and manage their diets properly after the fasting. Christmas is one of the major holidays in Ethiopia. This year is 2004 Christmas in the Horn of Africa country according to the conventional calendar.
Source: The Africa Report
The festivities began a month ago where most people distance themselves from meat, milk and butter and other milk products. And the Sunday celebrations would give them a license to indulge.
But the festive mood has been dampened by rising prices with chicken now selling for 10 euros from about three euros at the start of the fasting period.
"Slaughtering chicken is a must for families during Ganna," said Selamawit Bekele, an Addis Ababa bargain hunter who had just paid six euro for a small chicken. "That is why traders have made such a surprise increase."
Ethiopians endured rampant price increases last year with prices of basic commodities as inflation soared by more than 30 percent. Prices of sheep, an integral part of the celebrations, have gone up to between 80 and 95 euros from 50 euro. "I am really confused with the price of goats and sheep. This is the first time that prices of gifts have risen so much," complained Mola Tesema.
Borrowing to celebrate
Tesema said he had been forced to change his decision to buy a sheep, and will rather consider buying chickens."I have a big family where we need either a sheep or goat. But the price is worrying," he said.
The high prices have also forced some families to resort to borrowing to do the traditional holiday shopping."Even if I don't have enough money, I will borrow from relatives to buy a goat for the holiday," said Mengistu Tekola, a father of three.
"I have been buying goats for the holidays for the past 10 years."Some families have resorted to pooling their resources to buy at cattle for slaughter.The majority would have their beef raw, which is part of the tradition during the festive season. "My family likes raw meat and there is no need to worry about buying goat or sheep," said Bahailu Workeneh. "I like the sharing of beef because of the raw meat."
Meanwhile, doctors have warned Ethiopian to avoid eating too much fat and manage their diets properly after the fasting. Christmas is one of the major holidays in Ethiopia. This year is 2004 Christmas in the Horn of Africa country according to the conventional calendar.
Source: The Africa Report
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