Emirati Eid Traditions You Should Know Of

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Eid el-Adha is around the corner, it is filled with tradition, culture, and religion. Culturally, it may be celebrated differently, but there is one way Emiratis have been celebrating it for years! Eid el-Adha whose name is translated as “Feast of Sacrifice,”, comes at the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and celebrates the faith of the prophet Ibrahim.

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Food

Traditionally, sheep, goats, or cows are slaughtered, often with a group of neighbors or members of an extended family buying one animal whose meat is then shared. The meat also is distributed to family, friends, and the needy in the community.

Eid Clothing

In the past, men would either buy a new Kandoora (a long, usually white, robe traditionally worn by Gulf Arab men), or dye one of their existing Kandoora’s using walnut oil and cardamom. Women would dress in special Eid clothes and prepare their hair with special perfumes and braids.

Celebration Rituals

In the past and today, women and girls will apply henna to their hands, while children receive new clothes and small gifts, and celebrate with traditional games, singing, and dancing.

Eid Prayers

It lasts at least three days and begins with early morning prayers on the morning of the first day. Another feature of the two holidays is that most majlises (reception halls hosted by prominent members of the community) will offer sweets, dates, and other fruit, coffee, and tea to visiting guests.

Among Bedouin and those living in rural areas, the Eid holidays are celebrated in a more modest fashion, with the first day of Eid beginning with a small snack of dates and milk. The men and boys would then gather for Eid prayers, before returning home for an Eid breakfast with the whole family.

Image Source: Abu Dhabi Culture

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here