Eid al-Kabir, or Eid al-Adha, is a Muslim holiday celebrating Abraham's sacrifice to God (Genesis 22 in the Old Testament if you're interested in the story). The whole family partakes in the sacrifice of God's gift of food and nutrients, bringing them closer together. Moroccans are very connected to the source of their food in this way, and thus have a much different perspective than many Americans. Watching my Moroccan family work together in this labor of love was incredible, and I'm grateful to have been welcomed in participating in such an important holiday.
WARNING: Many of these photos are graphic.
Vans and trucks bring sheep into the city the week before Eid
It's not uncommon to see people walking their sheep home during this time
A sheep is transported through the medina on a truck.
Our sheep is brought home. We have two to sacrifice: one for each family unit celebrating in the home. One for our host mom (Hunan), host brother (Mohammed), Kasey and I, and the other for Hunan's daughter Sarah and her husband and son.
Baby Aweb and his Aunt Miriam
For Eid, family comes together to celebrate
THE SACRIFICE:
Intestines hanging to dry with the delicates
A delicacy of liver wrapped in fat – many Moroccans' favorite thing to eat during Eid.
