feast of the ram

On Wednesday Nov. 17, Muslims celebrated the Eid, the feast of the ram. It is also called "Tabaski," to remember when Abraham sacrificed a ram instead of his son Isaac. Classes were cancelled for the holiday so a carpenter named Jibo took me, Jacquline & another Peace Corps volunteer named Tim around for the festivities. The day started with morning prayers, people cooked and ate with friends and family all day. I celebrated it in Senegal two years ago with my host family, but this time was different, it was much more colorful & vibrant... and included a horse festival.


I went up to the village of Sabga to watch the prayers which took place next to a breath-taking view of the mountains. Most of the villagers in this village are Fulfulde and are herders. After prayers, everyone walked to the mosque and watched the horse festival, where riders raced across the square and made their steeds jump and prance. The audience cheered for the most showful riders, and horses were adorned from head-to-toe in neon yarn and fabric. Then... came the slaughter and roasting of the ram. I spent Tabaski with two different families that day. Do you like the grill? And the little boy in charge? It was one memorable feast!