Port Harcourt, Nigeria. As Muslims across Rivers State mark Eid-el-Maulud, many are shifting focus from lavish feasts to deeper spiritual reflection and acts of charity, in response to soaring food and clothing prices.
They made the remark when reporters visited their communities in the Obio/Akpor areas of the state on Friday.
Mr Isa Daura, a trader at Yam Zone market in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor, said Muslims currently contribute money to buy a ram and share, cook simpler meals while focusing on their prayers and love in their celebration.
According to him, people are coping with the Eid price hike by cooking simpler meals and focusing more on prayer and charity than lavish feasts.
“Many rely on community support, so we try as much as possible to cut down on nonessential spending to make the celebration meaningful without breaking the bank,” Daura said.
According to Sheikh Ibrahim, the Muslim leader at a Mosque in Iriebe, the Eid-el-Maulud celebration represents Prophet Muhammad’s birth and a time for Muslims to reflect on his life and teachings, such as virtues and justice.
He said that the celebration also aimed at uniting communities through prayers, sermons, and joyful gatherings, thereby strengthening love and commitment, and spreading peace, charity, and spiritual renewal.
He added that ram was a key ritual, but not compulsory, especially for those who could not afford it.
” Prices have been high lately, so some families share costs or skip ram during the celebration,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Amina Haruna, a fabric trader in the Oyigbo area, said that clothing and fabric prices had also gone up during the celebration.
According to her, outfits now range between N9,500 per yard of fabric and N35,000 for ready-made clothes; there are options for different budgets, depending on affordability.
“Eid is basically celebrated according to an individual’s financial budget, but the significance of the ritual, love and commitment has remained unchanged over the years, just as we are observing the same today.
“I am optimistic that future celebrations will be better as we look forward to a better economy,” she added.
The prices of rams had increased by about 400 per cent compared to 2024, with some big ones costing as much as N1 million, while the small ones cost N250,000.
Mr Ben Oputa, a trader at the Oyigbo Central Market, said the prices of other staple foods like Beans, Rice, Pepper and Onions also increased to over 20 per cent.
