Eid Al Adha in Morocco is also called “Eid El Kebir” which means “The Big Feast” and the same thing for “Eid Al Fitr“, it has another name “Eid Sghir“ which means “The Small Feast“.
What is Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Adha “Sacrifice Celebration” is an Islamic celebration for all Muslims all over the world to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to follow the command of God to sacrifice his son. Muslims celebrate it in the 10th of the 12th month al-Ḥijja “ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة” in the Islamic Calendar.
The Importance of Eid Al Adha in Morocco?
Eid Al Adha is a holiday and an important feast of great joy in Morocco as a Muslim country. In general, all Moroccans do their best to celebrate with their families.
What Moroccans do before Eid Al Adha?
Buying the animal
All Moroccan families buy a sheep, goat, cow, or Camel (in the Sahara region) to sacrifice on the day of celebration and it is just for those who can afford it.
Also, few weeks before the celebration, you will witness many local markets or large spaces dedicated to animal sellers and some of them sell also in garages in residential areas.
Buying new Traditional Clothes
Moroccans buy new clothes and traditional costumes especially for children to shine in the feast among their friends.
Making Cookies and Sweets
In general, women do their best to make sweets and cookies in advance and those who can’t may buy it few days before the feast from local bakeries.
Moroccan Rituals in Eid Al Adha?
As a foreigner in Morocco, spending the Eid Al Adha with a local family is a unique experience to know more about Moroccan traditions in this feast. So, if a local family invites you, do not hesitate to accept.
Eid Prayer
In the morning, after wearing their best traditional clothes, men and women as well as children, go to perform the eid prayer “Salat Al Eid” in mosques or open spaces prepared by local authorities in advance. On the way there and back, neighbors, friends, and families hug and wish each other a Happy Eid.
The Sacrifice (The Slaughter)
Some families or neighbors help each other in the slaughter of their animals and others may prefer doing it individually. The slaughter is obligatory done after the Eid Prayer by the head of the family with some strict rules on how to do the sacrifice and it is advised in Sunnah (Sayings and Practices of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) to give a part of it to the needy and poor people.
Visiting Families
Eid Al Adha in Morocco is a moment of joy where neighbors, families, and friends come together by visiting each other, exchanging wishes, preparing delicious meals, and going out together.
Eid Al-Adha Special Meals
On the day of the slaughter, the first things on the table are the liver, the heart, and the sheep tripe meal. The next days, you have intensive dishes with meats like lamb kebab for breakfast for several days and they cook all the other animal parts like head, tail, and feet.
Boulfaf
The Liver and the heart cut into small pieces, wrapped in the caul fat of the animal’s stomach with spices, and served with a Moroccan Mint Tea.
Sheep Tripe Recipe
Sheep tripe meal is served for the first-day lunch.
Lamb Kebabs and Steamed meat
In general, Moroccans prepare Lamb Kebabs and steamed meat starting from the second day of the celebration and is often served with the simplest salad of tomato and onion.
Boujloud Festival in AGADIR
Boujloud is the person wearing the sheep or goat skin and Boujloud means “Father of skins”. The spectacular shows of Boujloud, in Agadir and surroundings, started most of the time on the second day and lasts one week or even more.
For travelers, visiting southern Morocco in Eid Al Adha is so special to witness and enjoy this exciting tradition. So, going to towns like Dcheira, Inezgane, Jorf is a must.
