Aid Kebir - the big feast

OK,... so today was a bit of a shocker. 

Somewhere along my readings of Morocco, I was spared the info that the biggest day of the year includes slaughtering a sheep on your driveway.  (!)

Fortunately being Team Isaac, we don't need to fulfill this requirement anymore, but annually this sacrifice (re: Ishmael) is observed in EVERY Moroccan household, no matter what your level of income.

So, the week started out with numerous amounts of sheep gathered on the sides of the roads with their 'dealers' - think turkey farmer at Christmas :) Cha-ching!
Men stop, check them out and decide on a price. ($200 - $300 each). Delivery is then scheduled OR you simply carry off Mr. Sheep on your back, like an airplane pillow.  I still can't quite get used to seeing a sheep 'baa-aaing' on the backseat of someone's car.

Dar Bouazza sheep negotiation

By Thursday evening, the sheep are at their residential location, waiting for the unknown.  I enjoyed folding my washing to the bleating of the two sheep at my next-door neighbor's. OK, so maybe not.

Tool Shed Buddies

I thought they looked more goat-ish... but alas, they are sheep

Friday morning (this morning) brought the actual ritual.  Generally children under 12 are discouraged from watching the act.  Thankfully. 

The process is quick and filled with great anticipation... a bit like Christmas morning. 

Observation time, after the fact

Neighbor giving anatomy lesson

Mid-morning I took some friends to the airport.  The roads were eerily quiet.  Along the way I saw many families, without private driveways, performing their activity in front of their apartments.  

Pelt-collector steers his fresh load down the street.

At the end of the day our neighbor's shared tasty meat skewers of barbecued liver, rolled in fat and some homemade pastries.  Quite delicious with Moroccan wine.

Tomorrow the REAL feast begins as the meat requires one day of hanging before preparation.