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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 5. Feast of the Sacrifice. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [عيد الأضحى (ʿīd el-ʾaḍḥā)]. |
| The Feast of the Sacrifice is the second most important festival in the Islamic nation. It falls on the day after the Day of Arafah, which is one of the most important Hajj rituals. |
| In this lesson, we will learn how Egyptians celebrate the days of the Sacrifice Feast. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| How many names does the Feast of the Sacrifice have in Egypt? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| The first day of the Feast of the Sacrifice, and the following three days are called the days of sacrifice, or [أضحية (uḍḥiyah)]. The Feast begins with a prayer in the early morning, followed by the sacrifice of animals. The reason is that Muslims believe this is the day when Allah commanded, as a test, that the prophet Ibrahim sacrifice his son Ismail. But, then Allah, as a ransom, sent him a ram or [كبش (kabsh)]. For this reason, on the anniversary of that day, Muslims slaughter rams and other cattle and distribute parts of the meat amongst the poor. |
| The first prayer of the Feast of the Sacrifice is performed in the open air in large yards or parks attached to mosques, or [مسجد (masjid)]. Afterwards, immolation of animals begins using a method in accordance with Islamic law, which guarantees that the ram will not suffer and that all the blood will be drained out of the body of the animal. Typically, people hire butchers, or [جزار (ǧazzār)], to carry out the sacrifice, as it is difficult and requires experience. |
| After the butchers finish slaughtering, the ram meat is cut and divided into three equal parts. One third for the owner of the sacrificed animal, the other for relatives and the last third for the poor people. The poor and needy wait for this day to have the chance to eat meat, or [لحمة (laḥmah)], which is too expensive for them to buy during the rest of the year. |
| Many Egyptians seize this opportunity of a long holiday, which sometimes lasts five days, to travel to some nice places, such as the Northern Coast on the Red Sea. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| How many names does the Feast of the Sacrifice have in Egypt? |
| There are three names for the Feast of the Sacrifice. In addition to the main name [عيد الأضحى (ʿīd el-ʾaḍḥā)], there are two others. The first is the Greater Eid, or [العيد الكبير (El-Eid el-Kebir)], in opposition to the Lesser Eid. The second is Festival of Meat or [عيد اللحمة(Eid el-Lahma)], since the majority of people eat meat on that day. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you have any celebration similar to the Feast of the Sacrifice? |
| Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء (ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)! |
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