Kurban Bayrami in Bulgaria
2011-11-14By Tzvetina Borisova in Sofia Photos by Ladislav Tsvetkov
Facebook
Twitter
Email this to a friendMuslims in the Bulgaria celebrate Kurban Bayrami, or the Feast of
Sacrifice, on Sunday (November 6th).
Following the traditions, a family and a local Hoxha pray before a ram is
slaughtered as a sacrifice for the holiday.
Traditionally, part of the meat from the slaughtered animal is given away
to the poor as a sign of compassion and willingness to share the
feast.
Young women from the village of Ribnovo wear traditional
costumes.
Several couples marry on Kurban Bayrami. The walk through the town, called
alay, is led by musicians playing zurnas, a typical instrument for the
region.
On the eve of the feast, women cook different foods made of
dough.
Baked meat is a tradition during this holiday. The kufte, or meatball, is a
typical food.
During the feast, many poor people beg for charity.
Commemorating the dead is also part of the tradition on this day. People go
to cemeteries to express their love and sorrow for their lost ones.
Older people are among the most ardent supporters of maintaining religious
tradition.
The prayers, however, are also attended by many young people.
Young girls watch as animals are slaughtered for kurbani.
A mother has dyed her hands with henna.
Respect for the elders is typical for this community. The decision on
important future moves depends on the opinion of the elders in a
family.
Still, young people are ambitious. They keep the tradition, but they also
subscribe to what EU membership has to offer.
