Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.
Eid al Adha – celebrated yesterday, today or in Morocco, tomorrow – marks the end of the Hajj and commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. You can read all about this Big Eid, or Eid al Kabir, here.
This is the biggest holiday of the year, and it’s common for droves of family members to come back to Morocco from abroad for the event.
This is also the bloodiest holiday of the year, and it’s common (nay, expected) for every household to slaughter something — a sheep, goat, camel, etc. Anything but a pig, really.
As a vegetarian, I don’t get much out of the slaughtering aspect (though last year I did pull up a lawn chair and attend the entire process, from bah-bah black sheep to sizzle-sizzle goes the skewer) of the holiday, nor the dining on meat for nine consecutive meals. I understand and respect the tradition, but it’s not something that I feel is necessary for a rip-roarin’ good (and halal) time.
Many factors will contribute to my Eid being much quieter this year than was the last. I have a lot of options, but firmly plan on substituting bread (the default meal for vegetarians in Morocco) for chocolate whenever possible.
عيد مبارك سعيد يا أصدقائي و كل أم و أنتم بخير
