Calendar icon
Friday 29 May, 2026
Weather icon
á Dakar
Close icon
Se connecter

"We're organizing ourselves as best we can": The daily life of Gabonese Muslims facing the high price of sheep

Auteur: Laïka NZANGUILA BA

image

« On s'organise comme on peut » : Le quotidien des musulmans gabonais face à la cherté du mouton

🎧 Écouter l'article 13 écoutes

Mohamed Tahirou is already preparing for Tabaski. The sheep hasn't been bought yet, but this Gabonese convert to Islam says he remains hopeful. "We leave everything in God's hands," he confides. In a country where Christians are the majority, Muslims are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a time of faith, sharing, and family organization, with traditions adapted to the local context.

In Gabon, the Muslim community remains a minority, representing approximately 11% of the population. For this head of household, preparing for the Eid al-Adha celebration is primarily defined by the cost of the sheep. He states that it is difficult to find one for 150,000 CFA francs. Prices typically start around 180,000 to 200,000 CFA francs and can reach 280,000 CFA francs or more, depending on the market. "It's not always easy, but we manage as best we can," he explains.

Eid al-Adha to the rhythm of Libreville

The celebration is primarily concentrated in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, home to a large Muslim population. The country has approximately 200 mosques, a network that allows worshippers to gather and celebrate together despite their minority status. The presence of diverse nationalities enhances these moments of shared joy, particularly during Tabaski.

On the day of the festival, families gather around the sacrifice, before sharing meat-based meals, often accompanied by rice and dishes prepared for the occasion.

For Ms. Mabicka Nzamba, also a convert to Islam, Tabaski remains an important time in the family calendar. She highlights the new clothes, the meals prepared at home, and the reunions with loved ones. "It's a time of joy, especially with family," she says. This celebration underscores the importance of Tabaski, in Gabon as elsewhere in the Muslim world.

Auteur: Laïka NZANGUILA BA
Publié le: Mercredi 27 Mai 2026

Commentaires (0)

Participer à la Discussion

Règles de la communauté :

  • Soyez courtois. Pas de messages agressifs ou insultants.
  • Pas de messages inutiles, répétitifs ou hors-sujet.
  • Pas d'attaques personnelles. Critiquez les idées, pas les personnes.
  • Contenu diffamatoire, vulgaire, violent ou sexuel interdit.
  • Pas de publicité ni de messages entièrement en MAJUSCULES.

💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.