The Life and Death of Po-Po: A Goat's Story

WARNING: This is a sensitive topic and the images in this entry are graphic at times. Please be aware as you read ahead and do try to read the entry in its entirety.

Most of you know that when in the U.S., I am a strict vegetarian, very strong in my beliefs and set in my ways. As I have mentioned in a previous entry, I have abandoned my vegetarian ways while living in Niger because I came to recognize that the process of raising, slaughtering, and consuming of meat in Niger is nothing like the meat industry in the U.S. – an industry that disgusts and appalls me.

To give a little background as to why I feel the way I do, I’ll give a very brief history of the practices of the meat industry (focusing on beef cattle) and contrast it with the process typical to Niger. Cattle are what is known as ruminants. They are one of very few animals that are capable of breaking down grasses and turning them into nutrients. They have evolved as grazers and serve a very important role in the sustainability of grasslands. That being said, cattle are not meant to eat anything other than grasses. Their digestive system was built to break down grasses and it serves them well. In the States, beef cattle are kept on crowded, filthy farms and they are fed corn as it has been proved to bring cattle to slaughter weight significantly faster than grazing. Not to mention, corn is so widely produced in the U.S. that it is cheaper to feed the cattle corn than grass. Because cattle are not designed to break down corn, they are prone to illness and are pumped full of antibiotics on a daily basis. In short, the piece of meat that makes it to your dinner table is dirty, as it often finds its way past USDA inspections, and ridden with antibiotics. Not only does the meat industry mistreat the animals and muddle with an evolutionary path, they are extremely wasteful in their practices.

Niger essentially conducts itself in a completely opposite manner. That’s not to say that their methods are perfect; there are still sickly and underfed animals in Niger, but the process here is much more natural and small-scale. Each Nigerien family, finances permitting, often has 2-3 sheep or goats that they raise and breed. Their animals are either taken out to graze in the fields or are fed grasses and grains at the home. They are not pumped full of hormones or antibiotics and while they are kept in confinement, they are given the space to move and are not forced to sleep in multiple layers of their own excrement. The animals are valuable to the families, serving as both food or profit if sold.

Because I carry the beliefs I do, I have always thought it necessary for me to truly experience the process of slaughtering, preparing, and eating an animal. As Niger is a Muslim country, I am not able to actually have a hand in the slaughter of an animal because the religion states that only a Muslim man is to take part in the slaughter of animals. However, given the opportunity, I took part in and documented the slaughter of a friend’s goat for her going-away party as she completed her service in Niger. The experience was difficult and left me trembling and in tears, but I learned a lot both about the process and about myself. The slaughtering of animals is never a pleasant experience, but I truly believe that the process here in Niger is one that is natural and respectable.

In the next portion of this entry, I will share with you both in writing and through images, the process of slaughtering, preparing, and eating a goat in Niger. As I mentioned at the opening of this entry, the images can be somewhat graphic at times. I have tried to use this opportunity not only as a learning experience, but as an opportunity to explore some of my creativity in writing and in photography. It is my hope that this portion not only serves as a cross-cultural learning opportunity for my readers, but as an exhibition of art. As you read ahead, I ask that you keep those things in mind and look at this as a chance to learn more about Niger and Muslim culture.

Meet Po-Po, a three-year-old male goat. He was purchased in early 2008 with the intention of fattening him up to be slaughtered in celebration of the closing of a fellow volunteer's service. Until his death, Po-Po lived a wonderful life. He had friends, was well-fed, and given plenty of space to move about and stretch his limbs. He was never given any medications and he lived out his days in the warmth of the sun.

Islam strictly states that an animal to be slaughtered must be done so in the name of God by a Muslim man. Therefore, prior to killing the animal, a prayer and blessing are given. It is also stated that if multiple animals are to be killed, no animal should ever see the killing of a fellow animal. In my opinion, this practice creates a human-animal connection and promotes a true appreciation for the sacrifice of the animal and its ability to meet many daily human needs.

This is in contrast to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) common in the United States. These CAFOs hold large numbers of animals, often inside and at high concentrations, with the goal of producing as much meat as possible at the lowest possible cost. These animals are placed on conveyor belts at slaughter time and are moved through the process in rapid succession. Mistakes are often made, animals suffer as a result, and there is little accountability among CAFO empoyees.

Animals in Niger are killed by slicing the throat and allowing the blood to drain from the animal. While the process is not necessarily quick, it is done in such a way so as not to cause the animal any distress. In watching the slaughter of Po-Po and subsequent killings for Tabaski, the Muslim holiday that follows the end of Ramadan, it was clear to me that the animal was calm prior to its death and there was very little struggle on the part of the animal. There were no cries of protest from the animals, nor did they fight the men keeping them still. While the animals undoubtedly felt some pain, a fact unavoidable in the killing of animals, they were not distressed or combative which allows for an easier passing.

Once the animal is clearly dead, the men begin to skin the animal. This is done by first cutting into the skin at the base of one hind leg and separating the skin from the flesh and bone. The men then begin to blow into the hole, which pushes air between the skin and flesh throughout the animals body (picture this as a giant animal balloon). They then remove the animals genitallia and discard it as it is considered dirty. The skin is then cut away from the body and set aside for other uses.

The process used in the slaughter and preparation of animals in Nigerien culture encourages that people be held accountable for their actions and does not allow people to use the "out of sight, out of mind" thinking to justify the practices of its people - a state of mind widely accepted in the United States.

After skinning the animal, it is then gutted. The skinning and gutting of the animal is not bloody or disgusting as the method they use to slaughter the animal allows the blood to fully drain before proceeding. The entrails are set aside to be washed, diced, and placed onto skewers to be cooked at a later time. The head and hooves are also set aside to be cooked the following day in a goat head stew. The carcass is then laid flat and two five-foot-long sticks are pierced through the skin in the shape of an X (see below).

A spit of sorts is constructed and the carcass is propped up against it. A fire is then lit about four feet away from the meat. The meat is slow cooked for about six hours and I can't even begin to tell you just how tender and tastey it turns out. Many of the following pictures document the cooking process and some I took in an attempt to create art out of an unfortunate situation.

The following day, Po-Po's head and feet were boiled and then placed ina sauce to be served over pounded millet. I made it a point to participate in every aspect of Po-Po's slaughter and wanted to experience all that he had to give to the community. That being said, I ate some of Po-Po's brain, tongue, and other mystery parts. I didn't enjoy it one bit, but I do have an appreciation for the fact that not a single part of Po-Po's body was wasted. Every piece of his body had a specific use and there was absolutely no waste in this process.

I write this entry not because I wish for everyone to become vegetarians. On the contrary, I simply hope to open people’s minds to other ways of doing things and to inspire people to think more about what they eat and the systems they support in their consumerism. I am not against the eating of meat; what I am against is the maltreatment of animals and the diversion away from the human-animal connection. Challenging the meat industry in the U.S. is my way of standing up for what I believe in. I do not expect everyone to feel the same way as me. I challenge you to find what it is you stand for and start taking action to insight change – whether it be the welfare system, the lack of programs for the homeless in San Francisco, or the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Whatever it is that you believe strongly in, I hope that this entry inspires you to think about it and how you might start to aid in that cause.

Suggested Reading: If you are at all interested in finding out more about the food we eat in America, I strongly suggest reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, if you haven’t already. It will begin to give you insight into what it is that makes it onto your dinnertable in the evening and into your digestive system without being judgmental or invasive. I found it to be a great introduction to the world of food and how it is used and misused in the U.S. And, as an added plug, it was written by an author from Berkeley, California – shout out to Cali!