Sheep Sacrifice–Wet, Cold, Messy Work for the Women Part SIX in a SEVEN-Part Series

This is the sixth entry in a week-long series on the Muslim Festival of the Sacrifice.

Washing offal out of intestines can be an awful job! It’s cold, wet work, especially when the day falls in the winter season of November through February.

I’ve heard several women admit to me over the years that they don’t really like this holiday. Those who have admitted it to me were more well-to-do women, admittedly, whose families probably eat meat every day. In past centuries, all the work was was probably worth it for the reward of eating meat. For many women these days, it means a lot of messy work and a lot of serving of visitors who arrive at the home–some expected, and some unexpected.

I have yet to meet any men who tell me they don’t enjoy this holdiay.

Most children are not expected to help with the work. The children brag to each other about how many sheep their family will sacrifice. It seems to be the Western equivalent of wearing used ski-lift tickets on your jacket to school (the more the better) in terms of increasing your status among other kids.

In my next and last post in this series, I will discuss My Feelings About the Day, and How They Have Changed Over the Years.

Eileen

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