So a much belated ‘Eid-e Mobarak” to all those who
celebrated over the last weekend, and I sincerely hope that all of you who did
had as marvelous time as I did for my first real Eid. And (unlike the majority
of the readers here) Eid-e Qorbon meant I got a long weekend off from classes,
which needless to say was also a heavily appreciated break after a week of
midterm-related unpleasantness. I’m hoping this isn't going to be a long
update, just a quick recap of everything from this weekend.
Friday was the start of the general Eid weekend, and
rather than sitting at home, doing nothing but engaging in awkward, forced
conversation with relatives of the host families who I've never met before
(don’t worry, I don’t get out of this entirely), one of our professor’s was
kind enough to invite us along as he made the rounds to visit his family and
friends. Now, if you’re new to what Eid-e Qorbon (or Eid al-Adha, if you’re so
inclined, and I am not) is, think Thanksgiving dinner. Now think that with more
dessert, multiple times (our run on Friday was 5 different houses), and of
course, the centerpiece of the holiday, the sacrificing of the lamb/goat/cow.
Yes, Eid-e Qorbon is, if you ignore all of the symbolism, a murderous
Thanksgiving that’s been, as much in Tajikistan as in the rest of the Muslim
world, rapidly commercialized. I suppose that makes it more of a murderous
Christmas then…
In any case, Eid-e Qorbon was, in the short space of
just 5 hours, an excuse for me to eat more food in Tajikistan than I've eating
in either Tajikistan or America.
Period. Also, there were the lovely edition of “Trick-or-Eid-ers”, the rather
un-witty nickname given to the kids who go from house to house reciting their
little mantra for money or, more likely, Chinese-made chewing gum. And then we get to my favorite part of
day 1, the Quran carolers, or kids who go around singing lines from the Quran
that have to do with the day (I think? I honestly forgot to ask them what they
were saying).
Now that I think about it, Eid in Tajikistan is a
strange combination of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. In any case, it
was awesome.
Speaking of Halloween, Saturday seemed to be the
lull day in the weekend, which was spent mostly spending time in the park
watching the encroaching snowcaps on the mountains around the city. Until that
night, for you see, the building where we brave few study abroad-ers go for
class is also the center for the FLEX program, or a program that sends Tajik
students to the US for a year to study English. And the FLEX alumni were
putting on their annual Halloween party. Now, while this was, for lack of a
better phrase, a big high-school style house party, it was a welcome break from
what is rapidly becoming monotony on the weekends, and if any FLEX kids/alumni
ever end up reading this, you guys put on a damn good party, and I’d like to
see if you've got any plans for St. Patrick’s Day…
And that (in quick passing) was my Eid weekend in a
nutshell. Any questions, specific or otherwise, are greatly appreciated. As
always: Tashakkur and khudo hafez.
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