DAKAR, Senegal — As dusk settles over the vibrant city of Dakar, the spotlight shifts to one of Senegal’s most awaited events — a unique beauty pageant. Here, the stars of the evening are neither humans nor traditional performers but a majestic breed of sheep known as the Ladoum. These extraordinary creatures, with their commanding presence and polished appearance, parade into the arena to applause, music, and fireworks from enthralled spectators.
This annual spectacle features more than a dozen Ladoum sheep, each competing in different categories — adult male, adult female, and young/promising sheep. The competition is as fierce as any pageant, with judges scoring the contestants on attributes such as beauty, size, height, horns, and body texture. The winners, determined by these criteria, receive not only the glory of victory but also food and cash prizes.
In this year’s event, the Best Male Adult title went to Prive, a 1 year and 7-month-old sheep. His breeder proudly estimates his worth at over $100,000. “It feels good to be here, I cherish him so much,” said Isaiah Cisse, Prive’s devoted breeder, beaming with pride as he tended to the sheep.
Unlike the sheep commonly used for consumption and religious sacrifices, the Ladoum is celebrated as a luxury symbol. This crossbreed, seen as a marker of social prestige, can take years to raise before they are sold. This particular sheep can fetch sums as staggering as $70,000, a far cry from the average price of $250 for a regular sheep. Such hefty price tags attract global buyers to Senegal, where livestock plays a crucial role in the economy and daily life.
Characterized by their impressive size—up to 400 pounds and four feet in height—Ladoum sheep are admired for their grand physical appearance. Their curling horns and lustrous coats captivate judges and audiences alike. As each entrant appears on stage, they are met with a chorus of excitement and traditional Assiko music, heightening the joyous atmosphere.
“You can’t see a sheep like this in Africa or even in the world,” commented Elhadji Ndiaye, a judge assigned with the difficult task of determining the evening’s champions. “Ladoum is special.”
Musa Faye, a 22-year-old breeder, shares in the collective enthusiasm, naming his 18-month-old sheep Diomaye after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal to emphasize its importance. “I spend a lot of time with him and play with him,” says Faye, confident in his sheep’s potential. He is already preparing Diomaye for future competitions, believing strongly in its chance to triumph.
The competition runs alongside an exhibition, encouraging young breeders like 12-year-old Ibrahim Diagne. “My parents like this and have always done it, so I like it too,” he declared passionately, looking forward to the day he will enter his own Ladoum in the contest.
Such enthusiasm is part of a deep-seated tradition in Senegal, where sheep rearing forms a core aspect of cultural and family life. Prized legacies are passed down through generations, exemplified by Maniane Ndaw, whose sheep Alou clinched this year’s Best Junior Male title. This victory continues a line of champions, following the successes of Alou’s father.
“For me, it’s a great, great pleasure,” Ndaw reflected proudly. “It shows that the lineage is a good one.” As the event concludes, the enduring legacy of the Ladoum sheep, Senegal’s prized possession, remains at the forefront, embodying both tradition and prestige for the nation.