Tabaski was celebrated 10 January. It is a very important Muslim holiday, as big as Ramadon. At 9 AM, there was a outdoor prayer lead by the leading Iman of the region. Many people came. So many that people were sitting in the only paved road (goudrone) in Markala. Everything stopped, traffic and businesses. Men were in front, women behind. Also, because this is a day of charity, many beggar children (gariboos) came to beg. These children also beg whenever I eat street food (which is most of the time). At the end of the prayer, the Iman sacrificed a sheep. This was the sign for everyone to go home and slaughter their sheep. Click here for photos
After the sacrifices, meals were prepared, and everyone put on their finest clothes. Then they walked to their friends houses to visit and eat. I dressed in my booboo (traditional African garb). I visited 5 families that are close to me: my neighbors, my French tutor, the Director of the Micro-Finance bank that I volunteer for, the President of the Womens' NGO that I work with, the Director of the NGO, and the Governor's representative in Markala.
History of the Holiday
Muslims believe that God revealed in a dream to Ibrahim to sqcrifice his son Isma'il. Ibrahim and Isma'il set off to Mina for the sacrifice. As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifce his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away. As Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifce instead.
Tabaski is known by several names around the Islamic world. It is often referred to as the 'Kurban Bayrami' (from Turkish) or 'Sacrifce Feast'. It is also known as Eid ul-Adha in the mid-east, and Hari Raya Haji/Qurban in Singapore and Malaysia, Hari Raya Idul Adha in Indonesia, and Tabaski in West Africa. In India, it is known as Bakr-Id.
It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hiija of the lunar Islamic calendar, after the Hajj (annual pilgrim to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
On this day, everyone is expected to dress in their finest clothes. Muslims who can afford it by and slaughter a sheep as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice. The meat is distributed amongst family, neighbors, and the poor and hungry. There is great charity during this time to see that no impoverished Muslim is left without food during the day.