The Eid Kibir is the biggest holiday of the year in Morocco. It is concerning the sacrifice of Abraham's son. God ask him to kill his son to show his faith in God. At the last minute as the son was about to be sacrificed, a sheep showed up and God allowed Abraham to substitute the sheep as the test was to confirm his faith. At this time every year sheep are sacrificed in honor of this event. It is quite the cultural experience. I personally attended 3 as my host father is trained for this event. From the roof deck where we sacrificed our sheep you could see about a dozen more in the process. It is a great honor to be able to sacrifice a sheep at this time. Not all families can afford to do so. The sheep is split 1/3 for the family, 1/3 to the poor and 1/3 to neighbor. This year I have heard sheep were more affordable so more people could partake.
After killing the sheep the animal is skinned and butchered. You start eating soon after and continue into the night. Baked goods, meat, bread and tea. Lots of all. Our family had 30 people over. It was quite the event, children, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors. Then you go to other peoples houses and do it all over again. This continues for the next day and on. I leave for Rabat on Sunday so I know I will not eat any more after that. Happy Holidays everyone.
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