Although the Ladoum sheep from Senegal are considered one of the majestic breeds in the world, they are not sacrificed on Eid-ul-Azha, mainly due to their price.
The Ladoum sheep in Sengals are considered a luxury status symbol and not for sacrifice and can be sold for up to $70,000 as the average GDP per capita is below $1,600, which is expensive.**
A 24-year-old sheep breeder from Senegal, Cheikh Moustapha Seck, has a deep affection for his animals, as per the Associated Press.
Seck says that working with sheep requires love and patience, as he has a sheep named Sonko, who is a locally-bred Ladoum variety.
The Ladoum sheep is considered the Ferrari of the sheep world, which can weigh up to 397 pounds.
This local breed has helped make Senegal famous among sheep breeders around the world.
The Ladoum sheep in Senegal are considered to be prized sheep in Eid-ul-Azha.
Sonko was born last year when the political situation in Senegal was more tumultuous, with opposition leader Ousmane Sonko still imprisoned.
Since Senegal’s election earlier this year, the political landscape has stabilized.
Seck has symbolized Sonko as a warrior and our hope.
The Ladoum are known for their white fur and symmetrical horns that are highly sought for meat, breeding, and beauty contests.
This breed in Senegal enjoyed a life of pampering and luxury, which are groomed, massaged, and fed vitamin injections in parlors.
Another person, Balla Gadiaga, inherited his passion for sheep breeding from his parents and owns one of these specialized parlors.
He said his clients come from all across the African continent - from Senegal to Gambia, Nigeria, and Mali.
Read more
Eidul Azha: Punjab launches portal for sacrificial animal purchases
How much you should pay the butcher for processing sacrificial animal
Gadiaga’s favorite sheep is named BRT, an acronym for the electric buses in Dakar.
He described it as having excellent measurements and extraordinary beauty and it is valued at $40,000 - a relative bargain compared to Gadiaga’s most expensive sheep at over $65,000.
Gadiaga stated that when one is feeling stressed, simply being in the presence of the sheep can provide a calming, soothing effect, making one “feel at ease.”
