Africa-Press – Cape verde. While the price of vegetables has fallen, the price of dried fish has soared, making the preparation of the traditional Ash Wednesday dish a challenge for many families. Given the high costs, some have not yet decided whether to continue the tradition, while others complain about the burden on their pockets.
Ash Wednesday brings with it the tradition of a special dish, but this year many Praia residents are having difficulty maintaining the tradition due to the high prices, especially of dried fish.
Eurídice, a resident of Praia, admits that she did not do any shopping for the Ash Wednesday meal.
“I don’t have the money. Actually, the price is not that exaggerated, but I don’t have the money. The vegetables are very affordable, but the fish is not cheap, the cheapest we can find is 1,300 escudos per kilo. Going inland to buy Ash Wednesday food is not an option, especially because I don’t have anyone there.”
Eurídice admits that if the price of fish had gone down at the Ash Wednesday Fair in Praia, she could even buy a kilo.
“The most I could buy was honey to eat with couscous, because if I bought the ingredients for the Ash Wednesday dish it would affect my shopping for the rest of the month,” he reflects.
José also wants to maintain the tradition, but he feels the weight of the prices on his pocket.
“Yes, we’re going to make Ash Wednesday food. The vegetables are at a good price: cassava and potatoes. We buy them at the Ash Wednesday Fair, where the price is more affordable than at the market, but we have the fish shipped from our island, Santo Antão,” he says.
For Lena, the concern about the price is even greater, since she has a large family to feed.
“I want to make Ash Wednesday food, but the fish is very expensive. The cheapest we could find was 1,300 escudos per kilo. The honey is between 500, 600 and 700 escudos. I have a lot of grandchildren at home, I can’t even carry them to take to the countryside to eat Ash Wednesday, so we’re going to make it at home. But at home we also have a lot of mouths and we’re going to spend a lot to make food for Ash Wednesday”, she says.
Vendors talk about affordable prices, with the exception of fish
The traditional Ash Friday Fair held by Praia City Council, which brings together traders from various regions of the country and ends this Wednesday, offers a variety of fresh produce at affordable prices.
Cizina, a resident of Praia and a cabbage seller, is participating in the Fair for the first time and has high expectations for the rest of the day.
“I hope customers show up, because sales have been bad so far. I hope people come to the fair and buy. Last year I didn’t participate because I didn’t know, but this year they invited me to sign up, I did and I’m participating. The cabbage costs fifty escudos”, she says.
Maria, also from Praia City, who participates every year, guarantees that the vegetables are affordable for everyone.
“Everything is cheap, at a good price and fresh. We’re just waiting for customers”, she says.
According to Maria, onions cost 140 escudos per kilo, potatoes from Fogo cost 200 escudos; tomatoes cost 100 escudos; cassava costs 200 escudos; green bananas cost 200 escudos; kale costs between 100 and 120 escudos; cabbage costs 100 escudos; and carrots cost 120 escudos.
“Papaya, which used to cost 300 escudos, is now being sold for 100 escudos per kilo,” she explains.
According to this vendor, this year’s produce is cheaper than last year.
“Last year there were no potatoes and many produce were more expensive, between 140 and 160 escudos. But this year, the most expensive produce is sweet potato and pepper, everything else is cheap. I sell fruit at the market, but every year I participate in the Ash Wednesday Fair because I find it interesting, beautiful and I do it with all my love. I make a lot of money and everything I bring, thank God, sells”, she says.
Ana, who sells dried fish, is optimistic, but acknowledges that prices are high due to the scarcity of the product.
“Fish is costing between 1,200 and 1,300 escudos per kilo because there is no fish this year. The sea was very rough and we found fish at a higher price, so we have to sell it that way. But the price of vegetables is lower than last year and we hope to sell more”, she adds.
Santinha came from Ribeira Grande de Santiago and brought traditional products, such as honey and sugar cane syrup.
“Every year we participate in the fair and sell honey by the litre, as well as the syrup, for 500 escudos. I brought about 100 liters of honey, the same amount as in previous years, and I usually do a good deal here,” he adds.
For More News And Analysis About Cape verde Follow Africa-Press
