What can anyone tell me about this religious festival? What sort of thing goes on - do you send cards etc?

There is an article about Kurban Bayrami on this site.

Elisa

Could you lead me to it please? I would love to impress a friend from Istanbul with my knowledge of Kurban Bayrami!!

Just click the link then, Libralady!!

Hi!! I am sure mnay replied to this but here is my version of it.

Kurban Bayrami has been introduced hundreds of years ago when Abraham wanted to sacrifise his son to God. A sheep was sent down istead of his son.

basicly it aims to share the wealth with poor. Everybody who has certain wealth and no debt (if you have invesments or ant other means of paying it off, it does not count) you are entitled to sacrifise. there is a special calculation to who entitles to sacrifise.

Only sheep, bull, caw and camel can be sacrifised. Bigger animals are shared among few people because of the cost.

1/3 of the meat has to be consumed at the home and the rest should be distributed minimum to 7 families or persons. The aim here is to feed people with meat who can not purchase meat very often.

Suring the 4 days of celebration relatives and friends visit each other. Specialy elders must be visited. this is another aim of the celebration; visit elders!! Elders of the familiy usualy stays at home and wait to be visited. During the visit it is custom to bring sweet or chocolate to host home or meat if they are in need and did not sacrifise.

Children are treated well during the "bayram" days. They are either given money or socks/handkerchief (favourite custom in the past).

If you are n ot able to visit your relatives/friends you need to call them or send them a post card. Personaly I would not send post cards as I feel very sorry for the paper and the trees therefore. A personal touch is much more appreciated.

Hope these asnwer your question.

Umran