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Celebrations

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Description and comparative analysis of the celebrations of different religions and confessions

Celebrations

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5.3. Eid al-Adha
Eid-al-Adha means the Feast of Sacrifice. It is on the day that pilgrims to Mecca sacrifice a sheep, a goat, or a camel to commemorate Abraham’s divinely arranged sacrifice of a ram in place of his son. According to Islamic tradition this was the firstborn son Ishmael who is also regarded as the Arab nation’s legendary ancestor. According to the Old testament this was the younger son of him, Isaac. Although Eid al-Fitr is a three days feast, Eid al-Adha lasts four days.

The feast starts with the morning prayer at the mosque, which is followed by the ritual of sacrificing an animal. The greatest Islamic feast of the year, which also coincidence with the Hajj to Mecca. Generally, either a lamb or sheep is sacrificed on behalf of each household. In case of an ox or a camel up to 7 people may gather for the sacrifice. The animals must be good in health.

The heretical Druze sect of Lebanon and Syria also follows this practice, although it is in memory of the sacrifices of Cain and Abel.

According to Muslim faith the sacrifice of animals is a way to ask God for the forgiveness of sins and somehow partake of His eternity. According to Muslims this is not an act of wanton cruelty, but a symbol of thanksgiving for the gift of food. Therefore portions of the sacrificed animal are shared with the others. Usually, a third of the meat is kept at home while one part is given to the poor. The rest is sent as a gift to the relatives or friends.

The sacrifice is performed after the early morning prayer at the mosque, either by the head of the family or by a butcher, following a strict ritual. The animal must be facing in the direction of the Kaaba while its throat is being cut and the slaughterer says the invocation with which every sura (chapter) of the Koran begins: “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful!” (Holy Quran, 1946).

Having skinned and gutted the animal, the butcher then takes a bath and dresses up for the occasion of an open-air gathering to praise God. This event starts at eleven in the morning and may last several hours. In places where the division of the animal is not left to the next day, wives stay at home to start sorting and preparing the meat. The rest of the feast is like Eid al-Fitr that people visit relatives, friends and enjoy the holiday with different kinds of entertainment.
Pictures

During Eid al-Adha, It is customary to visit one's relatives, especially older ones, and kiss their hand as a sign of respect.

After the sacrifice it is customary to cook some of the meet early in the morning and serve braised meat along with the breakfast.

The Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to show his faithfulness to Allah. God interrupted the act and Abraham used a sheep instead. Therefore a sheep or goat is sacrificed on behalf of each household.

Animal bazaar is where the sheep or other animal for sacrifice are sold. Men of the household go to animal bazaar to buy a sheep. It is customary to bargain for discount by holding and shaking hands of the seller until he agrees the discount amount.

In Turkey, it is customary to send a decorated sheep to bride-to-be’s (fiancée) home as a gift. The groom’s family buys a sheep with large horns and decorate sheep’s horn with red ribbons and hangs a gold necklace between sheep’s horn. Then sends it to bride-to-be’s home as a gift.

Videos

A short video about Sacrifice Feast in Turkey and how it's celebrated, from food to decorations.

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.