Our Tabaski sheep showed up today. Apparently my Dad brought the sheep from Dakar since according to my family the sheep in Pout are not good, and when I ventured outside this morning, there he was in all his glory.
So, Mr. Sheep - and it is a Mr. as sacrificing a female is a faux pas - will live uncomfortably tied up in our courtyard until Tabaski next Wednesday. Tabaski (more commonly known as Eid al-Adha or the "Festival of Sacrifice") is the biggest Muslim holiday of the year and every family that can afford to will sacrifice a sheep and then eat mutton to their heart's content. In addition to buying sheep, everyone is already gearing up for the holiday by purchasing new outfits, talking at length about their new outfits, and stocking up on extra food.
It's hard to believe I was here celebrating Tabaski with my family last year. I won't be here next year when Tabaski rolls around, so I hope to make the best of the celebration this year. I doubt that watching a sheep be slaughtered in the front yard will be any easier the second time around though. While I completely understand and respect the religious significance behind the sheep killing, it still tugs on my heart strings to watch the poor thing just standing there awaiting his doom. I just try not to look him in the eye.
Eat up, Mr. Sheep. Your meals are numbered...
0 comments:
Post a Comment