Festival of Sacrifice

This last Saturday, in our city, many local folks celebrated Eid al-Adha (in Chinese, 古尔邦节), or, the "Festival of Sacrifice." In Islam, this commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son. In turn, here in this city, many cows and sheep are sacrificed, slaughtered by the local imam.



Many families will pay quite a bit of money for a sheep (maybe about 800 RMB, or USD $120) or a cow (maybe about 3000 RMB, or USD $450) that has been sacrificed on this day. And then, if I understand correctly, 1/3 of the meat is given to the local mosque, 1/3 is given to friends or family or the poor, and the remaining 1/3 is used at home for family gathering meals.

I saw more slaughtered sheep this last Saturday - when I went venturing into the city - than I have on any other day here. But the picture above shows a rack full of sheep similar to what I sit right next to and under whenever I go hang out with the butcher.

I'm reminded of somewhere where it says that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.