Merry Eid to all....

Oct 19, 2013 From Tom:

We had heard of Ramidan, which was past, but last week we were out of school because of the celebration of Eid al Adha. I didn't realize what a significant Holy Day or Solemn Festival it was. It is termed the Feast of the Sacrifice, referring to the sacrifice Abraham was willing to make of his son, Isaac. It is on the scale and has similarities to both Thanksgiving and  Christmas and is celebrated the full week. You should look it up on the Internet for better explanation.

The families select and purchase a sheep or two from farmers that bring them to small corrals along main highways. The selection process is very involved with the farmers' helpers trying to chase and pull out the right sheep, then having everyone poke and feel if the sheep had the right feel or  firmness. If it wasn't right they would chase down another and the bargaining would continue. The whole family  participates. Then the sheep is slaughtered by cutting the throat, carefully skinned or flayed and cut up into packets. The family takes the packets home in bags and gives some or all to needy families, friends or relatives as a good will offering. Each sheep costs about $400-450 but they distribute to a number of families. Thus, it's a Thanksgiving Feast and the gift giving of Christmas, with no one needing to take items back. We saw many of the sheep/goat pens and went to watch and understand a little better.

Sheep herds available for selection

Selection of the sheep. This family looked at about 10 before selecting the "right" one. 

The Grand Bargaining process

The sacrifice or slaughter of the sheep

Careful skinning and butchering. Very little is wasted

At first we were a bit nervous because we might be intruding on a sacred ritual and offend them. Here are a group of men holding long knives and cleavers with blood all over themselves, with severed heads, feet and body parts laying around. ( Severed heads of sheep and goats ). Carcasses are being butchered on racks and the wool pelts are piled up.

I went up alone as Ronna was a bit nervous. I asked if I could take photos and they were accommodating. Within an hour I had been offered to come to their home for coffee and treats and meet the rest of the family. One man, looking like a sheik offered to give me a sheep for my own. I declined, but he was very gracious and introduced me to his kids and grandkids.

All week we saw huge family gatherings at restaurants and along roads. It's strange to see long caravans all pull up on the edge of a freeway, sometimes blocking one or two lanes to have a family reunion and hugs and kisses.