Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is one of the two major festivals in Islam. It begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Most Somalis call it "Ciid Carafo" or "Ciida Carafo", a name derived from Arafah Day (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah), which precedes the festival.

The festival follows the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is based on the story of Abraham (Ibrahim), who was prepared to sacrifice his son but was instead provided an animal to sacrifice. For this reason, the main feature of the festival is the slaughter of livestock (sheep, cattle or camels), with the meat divided among family, neighbours and the poor.

Timing and duration

The festival begins on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah and continues for several days known as the Days of Tashríq. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and shorter than the solar year, the festival's date in the Gregorian calendar shifts forward by approximately 11 days each year. Many countries determine the start of the month by moon sighting or astronomical calculation, which sometimes results in different countries observing the festival on different dates.

Observances

Early in the morning, people perform the festival prayer in mosques or open spaces, followed by a sermon. Takbir (recitations of "God is greatest") is recited throughout the festival days. After this, the livestock is slaughtered; the customary practice is to divide the meat into three portions: for the family, for relatives and friends, and for the poor. The day is also marked by visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, giving gifts to children and sharing meals.

Connection to the hajj

On the day before the festival, pilgrims stand in the plain of Arafah near Mecca. On the festival day itself, some pilgrims perform rituals including the stoning of the devil and animal sacrifice. Muslims at home who are not performing the hajj sometimes fast on Arafah Day, though this is not obligatory.