Slaughtered Goats at Sunrise

desertpaddlerdesertpaddler Registered Users Posts: 15 Big grins
edited December 5, 2010 in Journeys
Hi all

Fair Warning: Some photos here are probably not for the squeamish.

The country of Oman is may favourite in the Arabian world and I go there as often as I can. The roads through this area are dirt tracks and a 4-wheel drive is pretty much mandatory.

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Recently, while camping in the mountains I was invited to join a small (and I mean tiny) village for the religious holiday of Eid Al Adha.
To Muslims this is a significant event (and it should resonate with Jews and Christians who are familiar with the story of Abraham and
the sacrifice required of him) and as an outsider I was honoured to be invited. My son, 12, was camping with me and, being a city boy,
was able to witness events that he would normally never encounter (and he made a good friend as well.)

After their morning prayer, villagers gather in small family groups and enact a sacrifice, usually goats but cows for those who can afford it.

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The meat is portioned into three sections (family, friends and donation to the poor.) The first meal being a breakfast made from the fresh liver, mixed with spices.


I was given a rare glimpse into Arabic family life and was regularly invited in for arabic coffee and sweets which was served while sitting in a circle on the floor.

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If you'd like to see and read more please feel free to visit my blog entry. I plan a follow up for the remainder of the day (and next morning) I spent in the village.
But as I say, exercise prudence if you are squeamish.

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