In Turkiye, we have two religious festivals: Ramadan and the Feast of the Sacrifice. Both of them are celebrated ten days earlier than the year before every year. Because celebration days are calculated according to the lunar callender called ‘Kameri Takvim’. According to the lunar callender the Feast of the Sacrifice is celebrated on the tenthday of the month Zilhicce. It is celebrated in four days.
This festival is well known with its story. In the past, the prophet Ibrahim hadn’t had a child for many years. Then he promised God ‘if God gave him a son, he would sacrifice him for God’. After he had got a son, he told Ismail that he had to sacrifice him for God. When he intended to sacrifice Ismail for God, a ram fell from the sky. God told Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram instead of Ismail. After that day it became a tradation.
On the first day of the Feast of the Sacrifice, Muslum sacrifice rams. In some parts of Turkey rams are washed, painted with henna. Rams, camels or oxen may be sacrificed. The sacrificed animal must be healty. If it is female, it mustn’t be pregnant. Before sacrificing, rams’ eyes should be covered whit a white towel or hankerchief. Two-third of the meat from sacrificed animals is given to relatives, neighbor and the poor. One –third of the meat should be left in the house.
During the Feast of the Sacrifice we usually wear our clean clothes and visit neighbour, relatives and friends to see each other. Young people kiss their parents hands and receive best whishes and also get a little money in the handkerchief. The main idea of the Feast of the Sacrifice is helping the poors and having a good relationship whit everyone.
