Kurban Bayram

I'm supposed to teach tomorrow (Saturday) but as of right now I'm not sure how many of my students are going to show up. For many people, tomorrow is the beginning of a nine-day vacation from work and school, and so a lot of people are getting ready to skip town. Even tonight was a bit sparse at school, as many people cut out early.

What's the big deal? An Islamic religious holiday known in Arabic as Eid el-Adha, and in Turkish as Kurban Bayram. For many Muslims worldwide, this is the time of year to perform the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are required to make sometime in their life. In Turkey, it's treated almost like a Thanksgiving-type holiday.

What I was able to catch from students is that it's an important time for families to be together. On the day of the actual holiday, most families will purchase a live cow or sheep, and then sacrifice it. The animal is then cooked for a large family feast, some of which is set aside to distribute to the poor. I asked the students why they do this, and they replied that it is to thank God for all the blessings he gives to them and to remember everything God does for them.

A little more digging into the subject revealed that the holiday celebrates an event recorded in both the Bible and the Qur'an, God's test of Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. Abraham, completely obedient to God, is prepared to do it, but of course God stops him and gives him a ram instead. The sacrifice performed on Kurban Bayram is a commemoration of God's provision.

This is also a big shopping time, as many people buy new clothes for the bayram. Why not? Any excuse for new clothes. I was told to avoid the malls next week, because they'll be crowded. Gifts of money are also commonly distributed to children, so young people in particular look forward to the holiday.

Our school is giving us a full week off for the holiday, so right now the plan is to head north and east to the Black Sea coast. I've been told that while the Black Sea is dangerous and too cold for swimming, the coast is lush and green and full of historical places. I'm looking forward to going and then coming back to share pictures!