Kurban Bayram
Kurban Bayram (The Feast of the Sacrifice) - 27-30th Nov 09
Kurban Bayram is a four day festival in Turkey where sacrificial sheep are slaughtered and their meat distributed to the poor.
The Bayram takes place two months after Ramazan Bayram (Ramadan) and, as during Ramadan, Muslims abstain from drinking alcohol for the four days.
The sacrifice is a cow, goat or sheep offered in commemoration of the ram sacrificed by Abraham instead of his son. A special prayer is said the day before the animal is sacrificed. Every Muslim home is obliged to offer this sacrifice.
The Sacrifice
A butcher will come to the home and everyone gathers outside the family home as the whole act takes place outside. Prayers are said for the animal to ascend to god and to bless the meat. Aftre the sacrifice some of the animal’s blood is painted on the side of the home. The family enjoy a meal with some of the meat and the rest is divided up and given to the poor.
Over the four nights families will come together and enjoy feasts from the meat with lots of music and dancing.
Many banks, shops and government building will close throughout this time but travel plans should not be disrupted and most people enjoy experiencing such a unique occasion with local people.
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Re: Kurban Bayram
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