No More Sheep

     Our landlord invited us to celebrate the Eid Al Adha with his entire family (in-laws included). We just couldn't pass up such a unique cultural experience, in spite of how grotesque it may seem. With such a large family, they slaughtered a total of five sheep. They were so proud of how large their sheep were.

     The killing and cleaning process alone lasted about three hours. The third sheep (pictured below) was so powerful that it jumped up after its neck was slit and began to charge everyone. We all screamed, ran away, and watched as the sheep eventually slowed down and dropped to its death. 

 

 

    After the sheep finally stops twitching and the blood has drained sufficiently, the men insert a hose into the rear leg of the sheep and, with a bicycle pump, blow air into the sheep. This helps to loosen the skin so that the skinning process can be hastened.

     Next, the men cut off the rear feet and skin the leg up to the knee. They pull the Achilles tendon away from the bone so that they can hang the sheep in the air. The head is then cut off completely and the skinning and gutting process begins. The skin is preserved to make rugs, and none of the organs go to waste. Every part of the sheep, including the head, is set aside to be prepared as part of the gourmet feast which will span over several days.

     Through this experience, we learned several interesting traditions. Firstly, when the neck is slit the very first cup of blood that flows out of the sheep is preserved in a bowl. This blood can later be used to cure the illnesses of some of the youngest children. It was explained to us that if you burn the blood and breathe in the smoke that it gives off, it will cure the chicken pox.

    Secondly, a shawl of fat is cut out from around the intestines. This "shawl" is placed over the shoulders of the eldest daughter as a tradition which supposedly enhances fertility. The fat is then cleaned and used as the casing for liver, lung, and heart kabobs (which we later ate with the family).

    The men and women are separated for the first eating portion of Eid Al Adha. Strangely, the men gathered to watch  professional wrestling on T.V. during their meal (Similar to how the men congregate in front of the football games for American Thanksgiving). The women conversed outside while they ate.

    The festivities are still not over. We have only eaten the liver, lungs, and heart. Tongue, brains, stomach, feet, and the rest of the sheep meat are still being prepared into various, traditional dishes to celebrate Eid Al Adha. More (less gruesome) pictures to come as we continue to celebrate over the next few days.

-David & Nicole