The Goats Are Everywhere!!!

My neigborhood, Ouakam, and plenty of areas like it around Dakar, have become overrun with goats! The abundance of baas and scuffing of hooves have become a part of the natual soundtrack to life recently. The goats are EVERYWHERE!

Okay, maybe they are not literally everywhere and although they resemble what I would call a goat, they are actually lambs. Nevertheless their numbers have increased dramatically in what seems like overnight. Paranoia would have one suspecting some sort of four-legged coup, however, the truth is much simpler.

The Islamic dominant city of Dakar is preparing for Tabaski. The celebration also known as "Eid al-Adha" is quickly approaching and as the date nears the lamb population grows accordingly. If you come from a Christian or non-Islamic background, like myself, then I doubt the dots have been connected yet.

To be concise, Tabaski is a holiday that celebrates Ibrahim (Abraham) obedience to Allah (God)

in that he was willing to sacrifice his son. However, Allah is pleased with Ibrahim's acquiescence to His will and provides a lamb for the sacrifice in place of his son. So in observence of this, muslims celebrate Tabaski by sacrificing many lambs and feasting.

That goat next door has been quiet lately ... perhaps he knows his days are numbered!