By Alieu Ceesay
It is that period of the year when muslims in The Gambia join muslims across the globe to observe the Muslim feast of ‘Eid-ul-Adha.’ ‘Tobaski’ as it is called in the Senegambia region, ‘Tobaski’ is a period of sacrifice and jubilation for Muslims.
It is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims to honor the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his first son Ismail as an act of submission to God’s command and his son’s acceptance to be sacrificed, before God intervened by providing Ibrahim with a sheep to sacrifice instead.
Preparation for ‘Tosbaki’ has never been easy. In The Gambia, preparations reach its climax about three weeks to the celebration.
During this period from morning through night, people walk round the Serrekunda market to buy the best clothes to wear in observance of the celebration. This, therefore also provides income for many people including tailors.
“I am here to buy clothes for myself and my children. I hope I can get what I want because prices do go high during this period,” one Binta Drammeh told The Fatu Network.
“Business is going on fine, customers are coming and we pray we witness a blessed feast,” Ebou Jobe, a shopkeeper said.
