What date is Kurban Bayram celebrated in 2020 in Russia, when does the holiday begin and end in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chechnya, Dagestan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan: the beginning and end of the holiday, dates.
This holiday, which was commanded to be celebrated by Muhammad, is the second largest after Ramadan Bayram. It is also called the festival of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha. The holiday symbolizes absolute, pure and sincere faith in the Almighty, unity with him and approaching him. Eid al-Adha (the Arabic name for the event) always occurs seventy days after Eid al-Fitr.
Date of Eid al-Fitr 2020: when it starts and ends
The holiday is celebrated in the month of Dhul-Hijjah on the 10th, that is, in 2020, Kurban Bayram will begin on July 31 and last until August 3.
How to prepare for Eid al-Adha
Despite the fact that the holiday itself will begin on July 31, 2020, preparations for the sacred event will begin ten days before the actual date of Kurban Bayram. The faithful followers of the Prophet Mohammed, who believe in Allah, will fast.
During this time, women will carry out general cleaning in their homes and prepare clean, elegant clothes for the holiday.
On July 31, before dawn, Muslims will perform ablution, change clothes and go to prayer. You should not eat before the first prayer on the holiday. After prayer, you can have breakfast and later return to the mosque and listen to a sermon about the history of the holiday and its meaning.
Rules and traditions for Eid al-Adha that must be followed in 2020
The holiday will begin to be celebrated at sunrise. Believers wash, put on clean clothes and go to the mosque to attend morning prayers. Then the local mullah reads a sermon, at the end of which Muslims go to the cemetery to honor the memory of their deceased relatives.
The final stage of the holiday is the sacrifice of an animal. It could be a ram, camel, bull or other ungulate creature. The custom allows making sacrifices not only for the health of the living, but also for the repose of deceased relatives or friends. You cannot choose any animal that catches your eye as a victim. For example, the age of a ram should not exceed one year, a bull or cow - no more than two years. As for the camel, it is allowed to choose an individual that has reached the age of five.
It is desirable that the chosen victim is in excellent health, large in size and has no physical defects. This means that lame, blind and sick creatures cannot be used in the sacred rite of sacrifice.
Muslims are sure that poor physical condition affects the taste of the animal. Before slaughtering a victim, a believer can say a prayer in the name of Allah. Then the animal is thrown to the floor, always with its head towards Mecca.
It is recommended that after the sacrifice, the meat of the killed animal is divided into three parts: one to give to needy and poor people, the second part to be used as the basis for holiday dishes, which will then be distributed to neighbors, friends and relatives, and the third part can remain at the owner’s home.
The meat of a sacrificial animal is allowed to be given to people of other religions for testing, but under no circumstances should it be sold or exchanged for something. It is forbidden to use this meat after the end of Kurban Bayram.
Muslims are of the opinion that a sheep or goat can be slaughtered by one person, and a camel, cow or bull by seven people.
What to put on the table for Eid al-Adha 2020: traditional dishes
Muslims are hospitable people, they love to treat and delight other people, so it is not surprising that with the onset of Kurban Bayram, any true believer tries to invite as many people as possible into their home. They pay special attention to the poor and needy people. It is customary to prepare traditional dishes for this holiday from the meat of a sacrificial lamb. The more dishes prepared, the better.
- On the first day, dishes from the liver and heart are prepared,
- The second day should begin with soups cooked with lamb heads and legs. Meat is also roasted or stewed, and beans, vegetables or rice are used as a side dish.
- On the third and fourth days, Muslim tables include soups made from lamb bones, fried lamb ribs and, of course, traditional manti, lagman, shish kebab, pilaf, beshbarmak, chuchvara.
- Not a single holiday table is complete without the usual sweets, homemade bread, pies, scones and biscuits. Muslims prefer almonds and raisins as their favorite dessert.
How did the holiday of Kurban Bayram appear?
Kurban Bayram, the holiday of sacrifice, appeared as proof of the unconditional faith of a true Muslim in Allah. According to the Koran, many centuries ago the Almighty sent the Prophet Ibrahim a test: he had to sacrifice his own son named Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim, following the will of the Almighty, was already planning to sacrifice his own child to him.
The Lord, convinced of the inviolability of his words, sent an angel to him who stopped the prophet’s knife. Instead of a son, Ibrahim sacrificed a ram to the Almighty. Since then, faithful followers of Islam, celebrating the great day of Kubran Bayram, also slaughter a lamb, calf or young camel.
Traditionally, the meat of the animal is divided into three parts. Retaining only one third, the remaining two parts of the sacrificial animal are distributed among the community and the poor people.
On this day, not a single person should go hungry, and the doors of the houses of followers of Islam are open to all guests.
After the end of the holy month of Ramadan, one of the two major holidays of Islam begins, called the holiday of breaking the fast, Eid ul-Fitr (Turkic: Eid al-Adha, Ramadan Bayram).
The end of the month-long fast - Ramadan - in the Islamic world is marked by the Day of Breaking the Fast or Eid al-Fitr (in Arab countries the name Eid al-Fitr is more commonly used). This day is also the first day of the new - tenth according to the lunar Islamic calendar - month of Shawwal. It is also often called “el-mukrem”, which means generous. Although this month also contains a small (and optional) six-day fast. It is believed that anyone who endures this in addition to fasting during Ramadan has accomplished a good deed equivalent to a whole year of daily fasting.
The holiday of Eid al-Adha is also significant in the Muslim world because the date of the most important Islamic holiday, Eid al-Adha, is calculated from it. It is celebrated exactly 70 days after breaking the fast on the 10th day of the lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah. Therefore, Eid al-Fitr is also called a small holiday, similar to Kurban Bayram - a major holiday or a holiday of sacrifice.
Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for 3 calendar days. Since the date of this holiday is floating (the lunar Islamic calendar and the traditional Gregorian calendar, according to which we live, do not coincide), it falls on different dates every year.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important and significant holidays for every Muslim (one can easily draw an analogy and compare the importance of Eid al-Fitr with Christian Christmas). On this day, every believer tries to do as many good deeds as possible, because they will definitely count towards him in the future. On this day, it is customary to remember relatives and friends (both living and dead), give alms to the poor and help those in need, provide all possible assistance to all those who need it, as well as glorify the name of the prophet and carry his words to people. It is not for nothing that the tradition of celebrating Uyraza Bayram dates back to the times of the Prophet Muhammad - according to the information that has reached us, the Day of Breaking the Fast has been celebrated since 624.
This is a pure and holy holiday, and therefore a Muslim must celebrate it accordingly - in the best festive clothes, with obligatory prayers and observance of all rituals. Preparations for the holiday usually begin four days before it with general cleaning. They thoroughly clean not only the house, but also the yard area (if there is one), barn, cattle pens, as well as the cattle themselves. After order is restored, all family members wash thoroughly and dress in clean clothes.
On pre-holiday days, they also try to update the interior of their home: they buy or make new furniture, buy or sew new curtains and drapes, craftsmen weave carpets, etc. Gifts are bought in advance for loved ones, relatives, as well as everyone who will visit the house on this day. Gifts are purchased, as they say, with a reserve, since it is not customary to refuse anyone on Eid al-Fitr. Money is also set aside ahead of time for donations for the poor, and they try to make the donations themselves a few days before the celebration, so that those in need have money to prepare for the holiday and can celebrate it as expected.
In the evening, women begin to prepare traditional dishes, which children and younger relatives serve to the guests. At the same time, relatives and friends also send treats. This custom of sharing food is called “so that the house smells of food.”
Traditionally, the Eid al-Fitr holiday begins at dawn. Everyone strives to get up early in order to have time to perform ritual ablutions, dress in festive clothes, and smear the body with incense. On this day, it is customary to greet each other in a special way, wishing for the mercy of Allah and blessed prayers. By the way, the morning holiday prayer is an indispensable attribute of Eid al-Adha, and before saying it it is recommended to eat dates or other sweets.
On the first day of the holiday, many common prayers are said. They are usually read in a mosque or in specially designated areas. The prayer is preceded by a story about the history and roots of the holiday, but only those Muslims who have previously paid the property tax - Sadaqat-ul-Fitr - are allowed to attend the service. This is a special payment (alms) for what a person owns beyond what is necessary for life. The eldest in the family pays alms, not only for himself, but also for other members of the family (or clan), as well as for servants, if any. The purpose of this alms is to provide for the needs of the poor, to whom it is transferred directly or through Islamic mutual aid funds.
After the end of the prayer - closer to noon - numerous mutual congratulations and a hearty meal follow. You should eat as much and as satisfyingly as possible; according to legend, this guarantees a rich harvest next year.
We should not forget about the dead; their graves are always visited on this day. But it is not customary to grieve and cry for the departed, because this day is equally joyful for them. After the cemetery, they usually visit the homes of those who have lost someone close to them over the past year, and they, in turn, generously treat the guests, remembering the deceased with kind words.
The holiday continues until late at night and begins again at dawn. During all three days, tables are laden with abundant food, and in city squares fairs and performances by artists, singers, dancers, magicians are held... Also on the days of the holiday, traditional slaughter of livestock is carried out, while pieces of fresh or already cooked meat are distributed to everyone in need, because Helping all friends and strangers on Eid al-Adha is the sacred duty of every Muslim.
For every believer, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr is participation in the common joy of fellow believers and a good opportunity to replenish spiritual experience. The holiday of breaking the fast for a Muslim is, first of all, farewell to the blessed days of the month of Ramadan, when every Muslim was given a good opportunity to grow spiritually, pacify passions through fasting, a greater desire for piety, and helping those in need.
When does Eid al-Fitr start?
The celebration of breaking the fast occurs at the end of the great fast of Ramadan. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr begins on the first day of the month following Ramadan. This is a different date each year, as the first of Shawwal falls on the 10th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for three days and all shops, offices or other structures are closed.
Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr: how to prepare for it?
Four days in advance, housewives begin thorough preparations. Houses are given a general cleaning, all court premises are cleaned, livestock and all kinds of working outbuildings are put in order. After thoroughly cleaning the house, the whole family must wash themselves and put on clean clothes.
In the evening, each housewife begins preparing oriental dishes. Then the children take these treats to their relatives and receive other goodies in return. This tradition is called “making the house smell like food.”
Before the start of Eid al-Adha, every family tries to buy food, gifts for relatives and decorate the house. It is customary to buy new clothes and things for the home: curtains, bedspreads or blankets for sofas; new clothes are chosen for family members. In addition to preparing directly for the celebration, it is customary in every family to save money in advance for alms. These funds are needed for donations so that the poor can also prepare for the holiday.
Celebrating the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha
There are several rituals that every Muslim must observe. For example, early in the morning you need to get up and perform ablution. Then they put on clean festive clothes and use incense.
It is very important to show respect and be friendly to everyone on this day. When everyone meets, they say words of wishes: “May Allah send His mercy to both you and us!” In the morning it is important to eat some dates or sweets, so that later you can calmly wait for the holiday prayer to be read.
The Eid al-Fitr holiday has its own traditions that are honored in every family.
Those whose income exceeds the minimum necessary for existence are obliged to pay special alms. He pays it for himself, his wife and children, and even his servants. On the first day, general prayers are performed. Before them, every Muslim, according to Muslim legend, the Prophet himself ordered to give alms.
Alms are given to those in need through special organizations or directly. After this ritual, joint prayers begin, followed by celebration and wishes for happiness.
The main, hearty meal begins at noon. On the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, there must be sweet dishes, jams and fruits on the table. Every family tries to eat a lot and tasty, because according to legend, next year the table will be just as rich.
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Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important holidays in Islam. The beginning and end of the holiday celebrations are determined by the lunar calendar - the Muslim calendar, dating back to the Prophet Muhammad himself. When and how is Eid al-Adha celebrated in 2020?
History and meaning of the holiday
The day when Eid al-Adha begins is closely connected with the end of the holy month of Ramadan, intended for the fulfillment of the most important duty of every Muslim - strict fasting. The beginning of fasting in 2020 will come on April 24, which means, based on this, you can calculate what date and in what month Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, will begin in 2020. This will happen on May 24th.
In essence, Eid al-Fitr is a farewell to the holy days of the month of Ramadan, and for Muslims this holiday is similar in meaning to holidays such as Easter for all Christians or Passover for followers of Judaism.
Fasting is a time of bodily and spiritual cleansing, intense communication with God, knowledge of oneself and God's instructions, and spiritual growth. These days, everything worldly and vain fades into the background, and through self-restraint, believers prove their loyalty to God. It is very important to do good deeds and be merciful during fasting days.
In Islam they believe that on the last night of fasting, Allah forgives all sins of pious Muslims. To do this, you should refuse during daylight hours of the month of Ramadan:
- from food and drink;
- from sexual relations;
- from smoking;
You also cannot use foul language, lie, or take drugs or alcohol. You should be especially careful about hygiene and cleaning your home.
Celebration traditions
The Prophet Muhammad himself indicated that the days when Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated should be joyful and restful. The actions of the prophet, his words are the main example and measure of truth for every Muslim. The traditions of Islam are more than a thousand years old, and they are still strictly followed.
Islam is a religion that regulates all aspects of the life of believers. They also prescribe the time when to celebrate and when to work. It is customary to celebrate Eid al-Fitr for three days. In Russia, in a number of regions where the majority of the population is Muslim, Eid al-Fitr is declared a day off.
Preparations for the holiday begin early. Even the day before you need to:
- clean the entire house and outbuildings;
- buy new, festive clothes;
- decorate the house, change the bed linen;
- buy food for the holiday meal;
- buy gifts;
- cleanse yourself before prayer.
The celebration of Eid al-Adha begins with a collective prayer in the mosque, after which Muslims go to the festive table. Not only close relatives take part in a rich and satisfying meal, for which the best and most delicious dishes are prepared. Treating neighbors, acquaintances and strangers, is of particular importance. Another sacred duty of followers of Islam is fulfilled - giving alms.
On the Feast of Breaking the Fast, everything is permeated with love, participation and general goodness. Everyone gives gifts to each other, visiting relatives according to seniority. They remember not only the living, but also the dead: these days they visit cemeteries and the graves of their ancestors.
Particular attention is paid to children. In Islam, it is believed that bringing joy to children is the best way to get closer to Allah. All sorts of performances are organized for the children, fireworks are set off, and fun attractions are installed. Children are given gifts and treated to sweets.
Major holidays and significant days in Islam for 2020
| March 21, Tuesday | Navruz is a New Year holiday according to the solar calendar. It is observed in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other Turkic states. Arabs do not recognize this holiday, and in a number of Arab countries it is even prohibited |
| March 25, Sunday | Hijra (migration) to Ethiopia - the first hijra in the history of Islam (615) |
| March 31, Saturday | Birthday of Imam Ali, companion, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad |
| April 24, Friday | Beginning of Ramadan |
| July 30, Thursday | Eid al-Fitr, Festival of Sacrifice |
| November 20, Tuesday | Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad |
Eid al-Adha or the holiday of Breaking the Fast is the second most important holiday among Muslims, which is celebrated in honor of the end of the Ramadan fast, and in 2018 falls on June 16.
The month of Ramadan, in which the Holy Quran was revealed, in 2018 began on May 17 at sunset and ends on June 15 in the evening.
© photo: Sputnik / Amir Isaev, STR
On the last day of Ramadan, after sunset, the holiday of Breaking the Fast or Eid al-Fitr (in Arabic) begins - one of the most important events in Islam.
In different Muslim countries, Ramadan may begin at different times, depending on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the moon.
Muslim calendar
Muslim chronology begins with the migration (in Arabic hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Yathrib, later called the city of the Prophet - Medina. According to Christian chronology, the resettlement took place in the summer of 622.
The Muslim calendar, according to which Muslims all over the world live, is based on a lunar year consisting of 12 months - it is 10 or 11 days less than the solar year, so the days of Muslim religious holidays shift every year relative to the Gregorian calendar.
A lunar month lasts 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar in 2018 and lasts 30 days. This is the holy month of fasting and spiritual purification among Muslims - the most important and significant of all periods of the year.
A month of fasting and spiritual purification
With the onset of Ramadan, every devout Muslim must begin fasting - one of the five pillars of Islam along with witnessing faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage. Fasting in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar was prescribed in 624, the second year of the Hijri.
During the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims refuse to eat food during the daytime, devoting it to spiritual and physical cleansing. Therefore, in Islam there are two night meals: Suhur - pre-dawn and Iftar - evening.
Muslims abstain not only from food and drink, but also from foul language and unclean thoughts. Their goal is to strengthen faith, rethink their way of life, move away from the forbidden, and determine for themselves true life values. The fast of one whose deeds and thoughts are unclean and not pleasing to God is considered invalid.
During the holy month, after the obligatory night prayer, the Tarawih prayer is performed - a voluntary prayer that lasts until dawn. For its fulfillment, according to legend, a great reward from the Almighty follows.
Those who, for some reason, are exempt from fasting must feed the poor or help the needy every day, spending no less than the amount they spend on food per day.
The most important night of the year
In the holy month of Ramadan there is the night of Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power and Predestination - the most important night of the year for every Muslim. That night, the Archangel Jebrail came down to the praying Prophet Muhammad and gave him the Koran.
According to sources, Laylat al-Qadr is the night when angels descend to earth, and the prayer said on this night has much greater power than all the prayers of the year.
In the Koran, an entire sura “Inna anzalnagu” is dedicated to this Night, which says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand months in which it is not present.
This is the night when the fate of every person is predetermined in heaven, his life path, the difficulties and trials that must be passed, and if you spend this night in prayer, in understanding your actions and possible mistakes, then Allah will forgive your sins and be merciful.
Feast of Breaking the Fast
On the last day of Ramadan, after sunset, one of the great holidays begins - Eid al-Fitr. At this time, Muslims should indulge in reflection on spiritual values and rethinking life during the period of fasting.
This day is considered a holiday of salvation from hell, as well as a day of reconciliation, love and friendly handshakes. On this day, it is customary to visit the disadvantaged and care for the elderly.
The holiday begins at the time of evening prayer. At this time, it is advisable for all Muslims to read takbir (formula for exalting Allah). Takbir is read before performing the festive prayer on the day of the holiday. It is advisable to spend the night of the holiday in vigil, in all-night service to Allah.
On the day of the holiday, it is advisable to wear clean clothes, put a silver ring on your finger, perfume yourself with incense and, after eating a little, go to the mosque early to perform the holiday prayer.
On this day, they pay the obligatory zakat al-fitr or “alms of breaking the fast”, show joy, congratulate each other and wish the Almighty to accept fasting, visit relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, friends, and receive guests.
Eid al-Adha is closely intertwined with ideas of spiritual improvement and good deeds. During the celebration, it is customary to do good deeds, take care of relatives, and show compassion for those in need.
The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.
https://www.site/2017-06-27/reportazh_site_kak_zhdut_i_prazdnuyut_urazu_bayram_v_dagestane
Festival of colored eggs
Website report: how Eid al-Fitr is expected and celebrated in Dagestan
Ekaterina Vinokurova / website
Eid al-Fitr is one of the main Muslim holidays, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan and the holy fast that lasts all this time. Muscovites, and residents of many other Russian regions, are already habitually associated with reports about crowds of bearded men praying at the capital’s mosques. A Znak.com correspondent looked at how Muslims celebrate the holiday in Dagestan, one of the Islamic regions of Russia.
On Saturday, on the eve of the holiday of breaking the fast, there is silence at the Makhachkala airport. You can hardly find at least one working cafe, and even the machines selling water, carbonated drinks and simple snacks are turned off on this day. On Saturday, Muslims mark the last day of the fast, that is, the fast they kept throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Throughout the month, Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, or even swallowing saliva from sunrise to sunset.
This month is a dead month for grocery trade and catering in Makhachkala. Most shops and establishments are simply closed during the day, and only after eight in the evening do they begin to work briefly - until midnight or until one in the morning.
Ekaterina Vinokurova / website
There are posters everywhere: “Congratulations on the holy month of Ramadan.” There are quotes from the Koran and sayings of the Prophet about the importance of fasting. Invitations to the evening meal hang on mosques for the poor to take advantage of.
With all this, Dagestan is a region within the Russian Federation, which means it is a completely secular republic, so there are still working establishments and shops. Familiar Dagestanis advised: no one will force you to fast, but you should not eat or drink in front of those who are fasting. That is, those who adhere to religious traditions should be treated with respect.
There was one incident in all these days. I'm buying coffee to go from a kiosk, and a man suddenly flies up to me.
- How dare you? Now it's fasting! In Dagestan they can even punch you in the face for this!
“Actually, we live in a secular state, and there is no one around,” I object.
Locals say that this is still an exception. There are no more overly fanatical people in Dagestan than in the rest of Russia. And making comments to each other is generally not accepted here.It's time to dispel two stereotypes about Dagestan. The first stereotype is that it is dangerous to go there: a stranger will be immediately kidnapped, or even killed. But that's not true. Now the republic is quite quiet, and the level of street crime is one of the lowest in Russia. The second stereotype is that women must wear almost a burqa upon arrival in Dagestan. But many local older women walk freely without a headscarf and even in short dresses, and the capital’s – Makhachkala’s – youth even dresses the same as their peers from non-Muslim regions.
Of course, there are many traditionally dressed women on the streets. But they don’t dress in blind black robes, but simply in long dresses and colored scarves. There is often the option of combining a bright scarf with a European women's suit. And on the city beach you can meet women in open swimsuits. This doesn’t surprise anyone and, as far as I could see, it’s not annoying at all.
On Saturday evening, during prayer in the mosque, the mullahs announced: Eid al-Fitr begins on Sunday, June 25. The date of the holiday is calculated every year by the muftis; it depends on the time of the new moon. Therefore, literally until the last day there is some uncertainty: for example, this year it could happen that the holiday will come a day later - on June 26.
Lent ended, but on the first holiday, shops were closed, oddly enough, even more. Interestingly, the city also became even less crowded, which, however, is understandable: the night before, a huge traffic jam stretched from Makhachkala to rural areas. Eid al-Fitr is a family holiday, and people - from ordinary workers to high-ranking officials - go to their native villages to visit and congratulate relatives. On the other hand, many of those who already permanently live in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities outside the republic come to Makhachkala.
The holiday will last three days, and all of them have been declared non-working days in the republic.It is impossible to get to the mosque on holidays. Muslim tradition requires men to perform namaz in the mosque, but women do not have to do this. Therefore, women pray at home - there is not enough space for them in mosques.
Already in the morning, children with open packages run up to the hotel doors. They are immediately poured with candies and other sweets. This is one of the holiday traditions, very similar to Christmas caroling. So children run from house to house (in high-rise buildings, respectively, from apartment to apartment), where sweets are specially stored for them in advance. Pour generously into bags, in handfuls.
Ekaterina Vinokurova / website
Evgeniy is Russian, but he has been living in Dagestan for decades. He says that Russian families also stock up on sweets for neighboring children, supporting local traditions. Relations with neighbors are sacred here.
I was invited to one of the families to see how the holiday was celebrated. I am accompanying Naida, a former employee of local radio. We are going to visit her friends. According to tradition, it is celebrated in two halves - male and female - although these days this is not necessary. The same family, for example, had a mixed celebration last year. It took place inside the house, men and women sat side by side. This time they celebrate in the garden. For men, tables are set under a tent, while women sit at a table in an air-conditioned annex.
Most of the men are wearing festive white shirts. Women are also dressed traditionally: in colorful long dresses and scarves, but there are also those who remain bareheaded.
Guests are greeted by the grandmother of the owner of the house.— The holiday of Uraza Bayram was celebrated in Dagestan even in Soviet times. My husband was an imam, they told him: either give it all up, or we’ll be expelled from the party. He said - exclude it. But in general, people in the villages were loyal to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, this is such a tradition. Only back then we cooked everything ourselves, but now we buy some of the dishes,” my grandmother tells us and treats us to festive halva.
Halva has ritual significance in Dagestan. It is always eaten on all significant occasions: at holidays, at weddings and even at funerals. Halva is prepared like this: butter is melted over a fire, and flour is added in a thin stream. Then sprinkle with powdered sugar and allow to harden.
There is no alcohol on the men's tables, much less on the women's tables. However, in the following days I will hear a joke several times that Ramadan is over, which means I can afford to drink alcohol. But on the festive table, instead of strong drinks, there is spring water and fruit juice. Women run around the kitchen: preparing some dishes, cleaning others, changing plates, making tea. And, of course, they have time to discuss who married whom, who went where... And this also looks like part of the holiday. In addition to sweets, there are salads, fried meat dishes, dolma, cabbage rolls, vegetables, fruits, etc. on the table.
Another traditional dish is eggs with bright stickers. Just like Easter ones.— These eggs are a traditional element of the Dagestan festive table on Eid al-Adha. It looks like your Easter tradition, but God is one,” explains Naida.
While I am being introduced to the rest of the guests, and I am trying in vain to remember who is related to whom, the guests are still there. Many people come in for a short period of time to visit as many relatives and friends as possible—on average, about 200 guests pass through the house per day, Naida says. Not counting the children who run into the yard every now and then, getting their portions of sweets.
press service of the government of Dagestan
It’s not just family matters that are discussed in the kitchen and at the table. For example, women willingly support discussions on the topic of real criminal cases for posts on the Internet recognized as extremist. They also talk about Vladimir Putin: Dagestanis really liked the newsreels in which on June 22 the president stood without an umbrella in the pouring rain at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. And only then he brushed off his jacket with brutal carelessness.
How in the land of inter-clan and religious conflicts they are preparing for parliamentary elections
To my question, which holidays - secular or religious - are more relevant in Dagestan, the answers were divided. Younger people said that the New Year is no less relevant for Dagestanis than Eid al-Fitr. And representatives of the older generation noted that both holidays, of course, are good. But the religious one is a little more important, because it is in Dagestan that it has a family character, when different generations come together.
My friend was sitting at the men's table. He later said that there was a lively discussion about the last fight of Alexander Emelianenko, the Confederations Cup (just the day before, on Saturday, the Russian team lost to Mexico and left the tournament) and the sports successes of relatives and friends. People in Dagestan love sports.
When the time comes to say goodbye, the guest is given a small gift.— Grandma starts buying gifts for Eid al-Fitr six months before the holiday. This year, men are given socks and women are given headscarves. It’s especially convenient for men: you visit several houses in a day, and you can collect a supply for the next holiday,” the housewives joke.
The festivities continue for two more days. In the mountain villages, where people from the capital go to visit and congratulate relatives, people are dressed even brighter and richer than in Makhachkala itself. Women choose bright dresses, often embroidered with beads or sequins, as if they were going to a wedding. Old people wear traditional hats. And by the end of the third day there are traffic jams again on the approaches to Makhachkala. People are returning from their ancestral villages to everyday urban and almost secular life.
