Sunday, December 7, 2008

Tabaski: Not A Great Day To Be A Sheep






Families across the Muslim world tomorrow celebrate Eid al-Adha, or Tabaski in Wolof. Tabaski commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.  After morning prayers, the head of the family slaughters a ram, allowing the blood to drain into a hole in the earth.  The animal is then skinned, and the meat is shared amongst the family and neighbors in a big feast.  It is a very expensive affair, and many families go into debt to afford the cost of the sheep, and all the extras.  

According to the Koran, the meat is divided into three shares:  one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors, and the last for oneself.  

What is clear is this:  The markets are packed, and there are PLENTY of sheep in town.  

If you're living in Senegal, it's better to have been born an iguana.  

Randi, Eric G. and I have been invited to A.'s home to celebrate the holiday, which we have graciously accepted.  We'll arrive promptly after morning prayers to witness the slaughtering of the sheep.  

For further information regarding Tabaski, see
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-01/2007-01-02-voa13.cfm

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Brave maaaaaaan.

Anonymous said...

Kinda feel bad for those poor sheep. But then again they were quite the nuisance.
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!

Anonymous said...

poor sheep
maybe it's better to be a chicken on tabaski