Tabaski

Tabaski, also known as Eid Al Adha, is a public holiday much anticipated by Gambian Muslims. It commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael at Allah’s command, although Allah ultimately provided a goat to sacrifice instead.

On Tabaski, Muslims in Gambia put on their best clothes and spend time visiting parents, family, and friends. They undertake traditional cleaning of their homes, and spend time at the local mosque.

But the centre of the celebration is the sacrifice of a cow, goat, or sheep. Ritual worlds are spoken over the animal before it is sacrificed. Then, a third of the meat goes to feed the poor, a third to relatives and friends, and the final third is feasted on by the family paying for the sacrifice.

Also on Tabaski, kids will roam the streets all day and into the night asking for small change to buy ice cream and candy with. Many give them money because Eid al-Adha is supposed to be a day of festivity for children.

When: July