Eid El Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of last week the Turner office in Cairo was closed for the celebration of Eid El Adha, a major Muslim holiday. Yesterday was the day the animals were slaughtered. Ron and I took an afternoon walk. It was an experience we will not soon forget. (Please see pictures)
First off, this Eid is seventy days from the end of Ramadan and is in remembrance of Abraham, (Ibrahim) who was willing to sacrifice his son to God. God did not require of him this sacrifice so, Abraham offered a ram instead. That’s where the sheep come in. Everyone here who can afford it has a sheep (or cow or goat) slaughtered and cooked up to share with family, friends and those less fortunate. Here in Cairo you just walk down the street, find a herd of sheep and pick out the animal you want. They will slaughter it, skin it, disembowel and cut it up for you right on the spot. Some people prefer to take their animal home and perform this ritual themselves. I’m not overly squeamish about such things, having grown up in a hunting and fishing family, but this took me quite by surprise. They do it right on the sidewalk and blood just runs in rivulets down the street. I was standing right in it before I realized what was going on!
As we walked on, many men were walking about with blood all over them and wearing rubber boots to protect their shoes from the streams of blood. The smell was a curious mixture of dung and fresh blood mixed with rotting entrails– not easy to describe in a blog. And definitely not something you might want to try replicating! The children stood about, fascinated with all the sights. At some points you would see men with small hatchets trying to hack off ram antlers from skulls. One lady was holding onto the hoof end of a lamb’s leg while the other end boiled in a pot of water. The sheep hides were heaped about left and right… honestly, it was amazing. This wasn't taking place out in the country, it was happening in the heart of a metropolis of 16 to 18 million people!
I have posted some pictures. It is difficult, at times, to get the best pictures because many of the people do not want to be photographed. What an experience!
posted by Teresa @ 3:02 AM
4 Comments:
How very intersting! Isn't is amazing that some people continue to sacrifice as our ancient "fathers" did. I am so thankful that because of Jesus' blood shed on Calvary's cross OI no longer have to do so in order to please God. Thanks, T, for sharing with us your experiences.
So, there will be no Yankee Candle out next season called Smells of Eid?
HA! Looking forward to the new scent!
Nick
Hey Teresa & Ron,
Will you both be in Chicago for the 416th Encom 20th Desert Storm Reunion?
Ben
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