Life in Islamabad Eid al-Adha - Feast of Sacrifice

Australian Photographer in Pakistan

Goat decorated for Eid al-Adra

 Today is Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice or the Greater Eid, that falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. 

 For the last couple of weeks animal markets have suddenly appeared all over Islamabad.  As well as traditional animal markets, temporary, smaller markets appear in vacant lots and alongside roads. The markets have goats, sheep, cows and camels and everything you need from food to decorations.  These animals will be sacrificed on Eid al-Adha.  It is estimated that across Pakistan between 8 to 10 million animals will be sacrificed over this holy day. 

 If you know your Quran or Bible you will know the story of Abraham (Ibrahim) and Isaac (Ismael).  If you don’t then here is a quick summary.  God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Abraham was willing to follow God’s commands but before he sacrificed his son God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in Isaac’s place.  That is why on Eid al-Adha a sheep (or goat, or cow or camel) is sacrificed.  The meat is then divided into three parts: one for the poor, one for relatives and one for home. 

Wishing you all Eid al-Adha Mubarak - Blessed Feast

Small goat market, Islamabad

Temporary goat market, Islamabad

Decorations for your animals, Islamabad

Decorated goat for sale, Islamabad

Larger decorations for cows and camels, Islamabad

Food for your animals, Islamabad

Goats, temporary road side market, Islamabad

Camel, temporary road side market, Islamabad

Newspaper supplements, a goat would be the equivalent of approximately $A210

Postcard from Taxila - Orange Festival

Australian Photographer in Pakistan

Instagram @gaynor.shaw.photography

Every year in late February an orange festival is held in Taxila, Punjab.  February is at the end of the orange season and a festival seems like a great way to celebrate a wonderful harvest.  It was my first time at an orange festival and so apart from lots of oranges I didn’t know what to expect.  I should have known that oranges would play a role but that music, entertainment and food would be key. 

The festival started with horse dancing, a traditional way of celebrating success.  A double headed drum, a dhol, plays the main beat as the horse dances.  Another traditional form of entertainment is stone lifting, known locally as ‘watee’ or ‘gutti’ lifting.  The stones are made of solid granite, 80kg, 100kg and 120kg each. The stone is lifted in one fluid motion onto their shoulders and thrown behind them.  The program also included the less traditional entertainment of orange squeezing and musical chairs for adults. 

Taxila is a UNESCO world heritage site and is an area rich in tradition, culture and history. The orange festival was a great introduction to some unusual Pakistani traditions.