Eid

So, lets talk about Eid in Cape Town:

Eid in Cape Town is amazing. Although its not an official holiday, most Muslims are able to get the day off work and celebrate with their families and friends. Eid preparations start about two weeks before Eid, generally after the 15th night of Ramadaan.

General preparations include a complete spring clean of the home, painting inside and out, washing windows, changing all curtains and bedding, SHOPPING for Eid clothes and special Eid groceries. Most mom's get extremely stressed by their kids wanting a very specific outfit, and having to co-ordinate all of the Eid efforts. Usually the house where the grandparents are staying at (like all other Muslims, Cape Townians generally do not send the elderly to old age homes, but the eldest son or daughter usually looks after the parents in their old age). This is the house that usually has the most visitors on Eid as well.

From the time that thousands of Muslims gather on the BEACH, in a public area, to have iftar together, pray maghrib and then sight the moon, the excitement about Eid starts building.



There are two Muslim radio stations who broadcast the Athaan, and various other programmes in Cape Town. These radio stations usually broadcast the moonsighting event live from Three Anchor Bay. There is lots of excitement around this event, it has become a picnic of note for the year and a sort of unofficial kick-off to the Eid celebrations.

After the moon has been sighted, and the official announcement is made that Eid is the next day, women rush their families home to start with the food and other preparations. It is at this time that the men usually realise that their thawb's need to be ironed (lol) and that they need white socks to match their thawb.

That evening, women prepare the meat for the next day... and a pie for 'after eid prayer' breakfast. But the days's menu will be discussed later on..

Men usually have two outfits for the day. They wear a thawb to the mosque in the morning, and then change to apants and shirt or suit for the rest of the day. Lately, men seem to prefer the thobe as an all day outfit. Women usually also follow the same idea, with a decorative abaya for the morning, and a pretty dress or suit later on in the day, depending. Women who are 'hosting' for the day find it easier to keep the abaya on and not worry with a formal dress and heels. Children, the same.

All children are given money and candy on Eid, and some children, especially those who have fasted all month for the first time, may get an extra special toy or treat as a reward. Any child knocking on any door will get their Eid money. This also means that non-Muslim children will join the rounds to score on Eid day.

So, the MENU and Eid day routine:

After Eid Salah men go to the graveyard to pray for the dead, and then they come home for breakfast. They then have tea/coffee and steak and kidney pie. Also, fresh baked bread and grated corned beef sandwiches are on offer, as well as cream cakes, pastries and biscuits. Some homes serve a sweet milk drink called "seer" and have more indian-inspired traditional treats like burfee, dodery, chana magaj, and so on. I personally had some chicken pie and of the most diviine pavlova. Other homes serve some prawns and guacamole, depending on the preference of the household.

After breakfast, you start with greeting your neighbours. The term used for this, is going to say 'selamat'/'give mubarik'. Text messages abound, and the networks are usually held up by well wishers sending Eid messages. After the neighbour stint, one moves around the area to greet family, or stays home to receive visitors, depending on which your preference is.

In every home, the table is laid with little nibbles for any and every guest that may come to visit. The nibbles include: chocolates, home-baked biscuits, candies, nuts, dried fruit, something called 'meebos', also can be described as dried fruit, but rolled in sugar. The nibbles are accompanied by juices and soda. In most homes, the table will be covered with a net to keep flies away from the food and its is uncovered as soon as guests arrive. Oh. And I have to mention 'slangerchees'. This is a savoury 'thing' made with flour and water, pressed through a rice colander to form little 'ribbons' and fried. Its then spiced and really tastes great!

Lunch is huge deal. Eid lunch is usually spent with your parents and as much family as you can gather. So, whats on the menu? Usually a leg of lamb, roasted. The leg is usually accompanied with a sweet yellow-coloured rice, roasted potato and vegetables. Sheep tongue is also an essential part of this meal. Then theres usually also roast/fried chicken or a roasted stuffed turkey/duck, accompanied with gravy and fresh salad. Other families have a biryani or curry as well, but no Eid table is complete without copious amounts of roasted meat.

Then, dessert: Usually three of four different kinds of pudding. Favourites are cheesecake, strawberry pudding, caramel and mint fridge tart for the summer, and if Eid is in winter then hot favourites are malva pudding, milk tart and bread pudding. Ice cream is always on offer for the kids, and adults usually have some too.

Dessert usually happens around three or four o clock. After that, there is one more round of family visiting, and then the teenagers split from their parents to continue visiting friends. Recently, teenagers have been hanging out in all their Eid glory at malls, and they meet up with large groups of friends there. Older people in their twenties usually have dessert parties, or meet up at one pre-arranged house and then stay there until the early hours of the morning.

This Eid was fantastic as we had a whole weekend to celebrate, and so Eid continued the next day with friends visiting those they couldnt see on the first day of Eid. Usually it isnt that way though.

Well, thats Eid in Cape Town. Any requests for a next post?