Feast of Sacrifice

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Iran Series at PersianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Iranian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 7, Feast of Sacrifice. In Persian, it’s called eide ghorbaan.

You may have heard about the story of eide ghorbaan, in which God sent down a ram, or ghooch, to the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice in place of his son. This festivity is marked on the tenth day of the last month of the lunar calendar, which in Persian is called Zelhajjeh.

In this lesson, we will learn about the Feast of Sacrifice and about how people sacrifice rams on the path of God while observing prayers, performing full-body ablutions, and participating in other rituals.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What is the relationship between the daily conversational phrase Qorbaanat shavam? and the Feast of Sacrifice?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

According to religious texts, God ordered the Prophet Abraham to take his only beloved son to a mountain to sacrifice him. Despite the devastating nature of this request, Abraham obeyed God’s orders without question or hesitation. However, just as Abraham was about to cut off his son's head, a divine angel, or fereshteh, provided Abraham a ram to sacrifice instead of his son in reward for his display of absolute loyalty. In honor of this, the ritual sacrifice of rams has become a tradition, known in modern times as the Feast of Sacrifice.

Today, families typically sacrifice animals such as a sheep, or gusfand, and cows, or gaav, during this festival in place of rams, and distribute the meat among their acquaintances and the poor. Sacrificing other animals on this day, such as deer or chicken, is not allowed. This ritual of sacrificing something on the path of God is not unique to Islamic traditions; it is common practice in other religions, too.

During the Feast of Sacrifice, observing ablutions and prayers is quite common among Muslims in Iran. The Feast of Sacrifice is a public holiday, or in Persian tatil-e omoomi, and most people go to stay with family members, relatives, or friends during this time. People also often go on picnics and wear new, fashionable clothes for the occasion. On eide ghorbaan, people also send congratulatory and funny texts to each other, like this example that reads "Dear ram, take care of yourself! Happy Eide ghorbaan!"

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

What is the relationship between the daily conversational phrase Qorbaanat shavam? and the Feast of Sacrifice?

Directly translated, “Qorbaanat shavam!” means “(allow me) to be sacrificed for you!” This phrase indicates that the speaker is so fond of someone that they are ready to sacrifice their life for them. But of course, this is just an expression; no sacrifices of this nature ever actually take place.