Harmattan: residents rush for second hand clothes

As the harmattan season sets in Kano, residents in the state have started buying second hand clothes to face the challenge posed by the harsh weather head-on.   

The harmattan season in the West African sub-region usually occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterised by cold, dust-laden wind and wide fluctuations in the temperatures of the day and night. 

According to a recent report, the weather in the state can drop to less than 16°c in the night and to manage the harsh weather, residents have to wear appropriate clothes during the period. 

Kofar Wambai market is a popular market in the state where the second hand merchants display different kinds of wear for prospective buyers both in retail and wholesale quantities. Kano/Jigawa Chronicles reports that residents  are trooping to the markets to buy the used clothes with a view to addressing the challenge. 

Malam Aminu Buba, a father of four, said, “Harmattan period in Kano is so harsh that one has to look for ways to manage it”, adding that even though the easiest way to manage the weather is to buy the second hand clothes, not everyone could afford to buy the clothes because of the rise in the prices. 

It was gathered that a cloth sold at N1, 000 before the harmattan is now selling at N2, 500 and above. Malama Adama Magaji told Kano Chronicle that she went to the market with N12, 000 to buy harmattan clothes for her six children. 

“The second hand clothes are very expensive this year. I thought the money I saved to buy the garments for my six children would be enough, but I only managed to buy for four of them,” she said.     

However, despite the high cost of the clothes, the market is witnessing a boom as the season sets in earnest.  

Kamalu Muhammad, one of the traders in the market, said the seond hand clothes price had changed, adding that a bale of N50, 000 now costs over N80, 000 or there about. 

“Some days ago, we faced a lot of challenges but now we thank God; the only challenge we have is the price as the clothes are very expensive and as a result, we don’t get much profit as projected. 

“This is always the best period for us to make it in second hand clothes trading. Whoever is planning to marry, build a house, buy a car, pay rent or has other pressing needs, is targeting this season,” he said.