埃及:金融危机使“奥巴马”枣价格下跌
In Egypt, financial crisis sinks price of 'Obama' date
An Egyptian salesman stands next to his collection of dates at a market in Cairo in 2006. Ramadan tradition dictates that Egypt's fruit-sellers nickname their dates to reflect unofficial popularity ratings, but this year the global recession has forced down the price of the 'Obama'.
Ramadan tradition dictates that Egypt's fruit-sellers nickname their dates to reflect unofficial popularity ratings, but this year the global recession has forced down the price of the 'Obama'.
Named after US President Barack Obama who chose Cairo to deliver a landmark speech to the world's Muslims in June, the popular date was expected to sell for 25 Egyptian pounds (around 4.5 dollars) a kilogram (2.2 pounds).
"People can't afford dates this year, we had to bring the price down to 15 pounds (2.7 dollars)," said Mohammed, a fruit vendor in the bustling Sayyeda Zeinab neighbourhood.
Emulating the Prophet Mohammed, Muslims traditionally eat a date and drink milk to break the dawn-to-dusk fast during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, whose beginning is set according to the sighting of the moon.
A savvy shopper knows that the good dates are light brown, shiny and sweet.
Competing with "Obama", the second-most expensive date on the market after the "High Dam" which sells for 18 pounds, are the "Abutrika" variety named after popular midfielder Mohammed Abutrika who plays for local team Al-Ahly, showing that politics and football are never far from Egyptians' minds.
At 10 Egyptian pounds (1.8 dollars) are the "Columbo" dates, named after the 1970s American TV series starring Peter Falk as homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo, re-runs of which have played regularly on Egyptian television.
Egypt is the world's top date producer with 1.1 million tonnes a year.
Ramadan: the ninth month of the Muslim year, 30 days long, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset 伊斯兰教历的九月,斋月(在此月间教徒白天禁食)
date: the brown, sticky fruit of the date palm, a kind of tree growing in the tropics 枣椰
landmark: having great import or significance 有重大意义的
re-run: a program that is broadcast again (电视节目的)重新播放,重播电视片 |
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