Tailors lament low patronage ahead of Sallah

Usually, a few days to Sallah celebration, children, and sometimes, adults, wait with excitement as they make frantic efforts to get their new cloths from various tailors. Such periods are always very busy for cloth makers. While some of the tailors deliver on their promise, others renege, sometimes leading to heated arguments and fight as […]

Usually, a few days to Sallah celebration, children, and sometimes, adults, wait with excitement as they make frantic efforts to get their new cloths from various tailors. Such periods are always very busy for cloth makers. While some of the tailors deliver on their promise, others renege, sometimes leading to heated arguments and fight as some Muslim faithful make it compulsory to wear new cloths during the celebration. Most times it is a chaotic scenario in most tailoring shops.

Ironically, as Sallah celebration approaches this year, tailors across Kano State have been lamenting over low patronage, unlike what obtained in others years when they were always busy as a result of rush by numerous customers.

Musa Bello, a 54-year-old civil servant who has been into tailoring as a side trade, said that things were no longer as they used to be during Sallah celebrations.

“Traditionally, in the weeks leading to Sallah, tailoring shops were usually bubbling, especially around Fagge in Fagge Local Government Area, Kofar Wambai, among others. These places were usually filled with customers. However, this year, business is not as usual and many tailors are worried,” he said. 

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This year, many tailors have reportedly received less than 50 per cent of what they used to receive from their customers.

Weekend Trust observed that the once busy sewing machines that used to run late into the night are now silent, even during the day. And some tailors who previously rejected last-minute customers due to overwhelming demand now find themselves waiting idly for clients, who, for obvious reasons, are simply not coming.  

Many tailors attribute the decline in patronage to the harsh economic realities facing the country. The rising cost of living, high inflation and increase in the prices of basic goods, have left many households struggling to meet daily needs and other necessary expenses and putting aside other needs that are less important than the basic human need. 

Musa Tijjani, a tailor at the Kofar Wambai market, shared his frustration, saying, “Every Sallah, my shop used to be filled with fabrics from customers who wanted special designs, but this time, I can count the number of orders I have received on one hand. People are complaining about the economy. They say they cannot afford to sew new clothes and will make do with what they already have.

“The rising cost of sewing materials has also played a role in reducing customers’ patronage. Fabrics, zippers, buttons and threads have all seen significant price hikes in recent months, forcing tailors to increase their charges. Unfortunately, many customers are unwilling or unable to pay new charges.” 

Ibrahim Shehu, another tailor at Fagge said, “Previously, we charged N5,000 to sew a simple kaftan, but now, due to the increased cost of materials, we have to charge N8,000 or more, Most customers find it too expensive and prefer ready-made clothes, which are sometimes cheaper.”

Weekend Trust also reports that another factor affecting local tailors is the growing popularity of ready-made clothes usually traded online. There are also imported clothes, especially from China, Turkey and Dubai, which have flooded various markets, especially the internet, offering buyers affordable alternatives in terms of quality and price. Many residents now opt for these mass-produced garments instead of paying for custom-made outfits. 

Aminu Lawan, a trader at the Kantin Kwari market said, “Nowadays, you can find high-quality ready-made clothes at reasonable prices. Many people prefer to buy them because they are cheaper and available, unlike tailored outfits that take time to sew and cost more. That is why people that can afford these imported ready-made clothes have since acquired them.”

This preference has left many tailors struggling to compete; and their means of survival is being threatened.

Lamenting the situation, Aisha Suleiman, a female tailor at the Unguwa Uku area said, “I now focus more on alterations and repairs. Many people bring their old clothes for adjustment instead of sewing new ones. It is not profitable, but at least it keeps me busy and brings in some income.”

It has also been observed that in a bid to survive, many tailors have taken to the social media to advertise their services, as well as introduced new innovations, hoping to attract customers through online promotions and special discounts, especially during the Sallah period. However, despite the current economic situation, some tailors remain hopeful that there would be a last-minute rush as Sallah draws nearer. 

“In the past years, some customers always waited until the last week before bringing their fabrics. I hope the same thing would happen this year. But even if they come, it will not be the same as before,” Abdulmalik Musa, a tailor at Hotoro said.

As Kano tailors grapple with declining patronage ahead of Sallah, the situation highlights the broader economic challenges facing many residents. While some are adapting to the changing trends, others worry about the long-term sustainability of their trade. 

It is also believed in some quarters that with the rising cost of goods and services in the country, tailoring business in Kano may never be the same again. However, for many in the industry, there is hope for better days ahead.

Aminu Buba, a father of 9 children with two wives, said he had cancelled sewing new Sallah cloths for his wards. According to him, one yard of a moderate piece of clothing material sells at N3,500, so 20 yards will cost N70,000.

“It became very clear to me that I could not sew new clothes for my children and I have explained that to them. Already, I and my two wives have selected some cloths that we will use this Sallah. My 9 children require about 20 yards, and each yard is N3,500; therefore, I need N70,000 just to get the yards, not to talk about sewing. I have set aside sewing new clothes in 2025; however, I have not totally given up,” he said.

A visit to Shaiskawa tailoring market in Dutse metropolis of Jigawa State presented the same picture.

Malam Yusha’u Nasir, a skilled tailor in the market, said that his workshop, which once bustled with customers, is now a shadow of itself as there’s very low patronage, which is as a result of the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

Another tailor, Aliyu Abubakar, attributed the situation to lack of financial stability among the working class. He said most of parents didn’t care to get new cloths for themselves and their children while others resolved to sew for their younger children, leaving the older ones to repeat last year’s cloths.

Malam Idris Gaya, a classroom teacher and father of six children, said he started saving for Sallah cloths in December. He explained that it was the savings that enabled him to sew new cloths for his wife and children.

He said, “As far as Sallah cloths are concerned, for me, it is mission accomplished. Every father is trying to see that his children are not excluded in the euphoria of the Sallah celebration.”

Another father of five and businessman, Malam Kasimu Auwallu, said fathers were just suffering and smiling. He lamented that barely 10 days to Sallah, he had not been able to sew new cloths for his wife and children.

Some mothers who spoke to Weekend Trust said they understood that the harsh economic situation in the country had changed things.

Aisha Baba, a wife of a civil servant in Kano State, said what really mattered was how to eat and survive, not Sallah cloths.

“My husband used to sew new clothes for me, not only during Sallah but almost on every opportunity that came his way, but with the turn of things, I had to contribute some amount of money for him to be able to sew new clothes for our two daughters. I am not worried that I don’t have a new cloth this Sallah, what really matters is for us to eat,” she said.

Another wife and mother of four, Malama Sadiya Bukar, said only two of her children were able to get new cloths this year, adding, “I can’t complain because my husband failed to do ‘Kayan Sallah.’ I know how it is out there and I really understand the situation. What these men need now is encouragement and appreciation, not complaints.”

Some children who also spoke with our reporter believe that life begins and ends with Sallah celebrations; hence they always look forward to it.

Maryam Isah, an 11-year-old pupil, believes that Sallah is about wearing new shoes, cloths, visitation and going for eid prayers. According to her, a Sallah celebration without new clothes is always dull.

For Aminu Chiranci, a 9-year-old pupil, every Sallah season means new clothes, without which the celebration is not complete.

“My father always sewed new clothes for us during Sallah. However, he told us that we would not get our usual Shadda this year, but we will get good clothing materials,”