High prices dampen festive mood

Sheep sacrifice might be out of bounds for Darfuris due to inflationLooming inflation and surge in prices of commodity goods has dampened spirits before the Eid al-Adha festival next Sunday in Darfur.The rise in the price of sheep, which is traditionally sacrificed at the festival, has made it out of bounds to many in Darfur.Zahara Abdal Naim, an activist affiliated with various civil society organizations, told Radio Dabanga that rise in the price of sheep has forced many citizens in Darfur to give up their sacrifice. “Women are not baking cakes for the feast. The animal sacrifice is no longer a priority. The priority now is how to get a meal amidst all the high prices.”Abdel Naim also noted that the price hike has led to an increase in the price of clothes for children making it impossible for them to buy new outfits for the occasion.Another activist Halima Shakra told Radio Dabanga about the suffering of men and women in Darfur due to the surge in prices of basic commodities. “Because of the current inflation, people are thinking of living on a meal of porridge a day. The high costs don’t leave out any alternatives,” she said.