Kurban Bayramy

Sacrificial lambsIt is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah in the Muslim calendar, 2 months and 10 days after the “Sheker Bayramah”. Along with the latter, it is the largest celebration of the religious year. Official weekends on this occasion last 4 days, but in fact schools and some other institutions close for a week.

The Qurban of Bayramah reminds us of the sacrifice of Ibrahim (Abraham). He wanted to kill his son Ismail. But the Lord took away the hand of Abraham, saying that he had already completed the test. Instead of a man, a white lamb was donated and therefore the “Kurban of Bayramy” is usually met with a mass massacre of sheep. And at this time you can watch how to skin animals right in the middle of the street.

Strictly speaking, the sacrifice should be made in the valley of Mina, during the pilgrimage (Hac) to Mecca, of which the "Kurban of Bayramy" is a part. But since a costly trip to Saudi Arabia is not available to everyone, it is allowed to perform the prescribed ritual at home.

If the sacrificer strictly follows the Qur’anic precepts, a third of the meat of the sacrificed animal must be cooked immediately, a third distributed to the poor, and a third divided between relatives and neighbors. In the evening, a person who has made a sacrifice must arrange a dastarkhan (solemn feast), where he feeds all those in need. At the head of the table, which is dominated by a variety of meat treats, sits an ulem or some guest of honor.

For the Turks, every Bayram is an occasion to reunite with their children and households. During the holidays, buses, trains and planes are taken by storm, and cities are empty, as their residents strive to spend as much time as possible with their relatives and friends. Over the long years of the existence of the multinational Ottoman Empire, Kurban Bayramy has penetrated the mass consciousness so much that even Christians, of whom there are many in Turkey, often rush home to have time for a festive dinner on the first day of Kurban.