On the streets of Niamey, a group of teenagers hands out mango, moringa, and lemon seedlings with a simple yet powerful message: “one tree for every sheep.” This marks the beginning of Tabaski Ecolo, a youth-led initiative aiming to transform one of the country’s most important festivals into an environmentally friendly celebration. The proposal encourages replacing traditional firewood with cleaner energy sources and regenerating urban ecosystems through reforestation—without losing the spiritual meaning of the holiday.
Each year, during the celebration of Tabaski, thousands of sheep are sacrificed across Niger. This ritual involves the widespread use of firewood to roast the meat, resulting in the felling of an estimated 25,000 trees. In a country where desertification is advancing rapidly and over 100,000 hectares of arable land are lost annually, this practice risks deepening the environmental crisis.
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Since its launch in 2017, the campaign has evolved from a youth volunteer effort into a cultural movement. This year, local artists, journalists, and influencers have joined in to spread messages of sustainability through social media. The initiative seeks not only to change behaviors but also to inspire a shift in mindset—linking cultural heritage with today’s climate challenges.
The impact is already visible in parts of Niamey, where the use of firewood has decreased and community-led tree planting initiatives are on the rise. Entire families are organizing to share eco-friendly charcoal and take part in awareness workshops. Tabaski, traditionally a symbol of unity and generosity, is now also becoming an opportunity for environmental regeneration.
Niger urgently needs solutions that are rooted in its cultural identity while addressing its ecological vulnerabilities. Tabaski Ecolo proves that it’s possible to honor tradition without harming the environment. With every tree planted, the festival becomes a promise—a commitment to a greener, more conscious future.
