There are many traditional celebrations throughout the world. There is Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Not everyone or every culture, so to speak observes these celebrations. It depends on your background, culture, and beliefs. While most families around the world celebrate the traditional holidays, many families, like my own, have similar celebrations that are like the traditional holidays. Every year within my culture and religion we celebrate (Eid) al Fitr. Eid is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity’, while Fitr means “break-fast,” and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. Eid is almost like Christmas, with family gathering, festive attires, giving of gifts, and food, this holiday is very memorable. Usually Eid falls right at the mid end of the year right after the end of the months fast. This climate is warm at this time and the flowers are still in bloom which makes for a colorful season. I remember mom decorating the house by putting up her best draperies.
I remember waking up Eid morning to the smell of homemade sawain. A drink that is prepared the morning of Eid that is made with condensed milk, spices, vermaselie, raisons, and sweet preserved cherries. It made the whole house smell sweet and calming. Not to mention the smell of moms homemade fruit cake. The fruits are grounded and then soaked in Caribbean Malta the night before. When baked the aromas of all the ingredients hits your nose like a cool summer breeze. The sound of infectious rhythms of Eid melodies fills the air while we prepare to attend the morning pray.
Simply, it would not be Eid without hearing these sweet melodies that fill every room in the house. As my mom, dad, and brother gets dress the site of happiness and excitement lights up everyone’s faces as my mom usually gathers then night before the beautiful clothing that we will be wearing on Eid. The long gowns with hand sowed sequences, lights your eyes and the many different colors of reds, greens, and gold colors makes you aware that Eid has arrived. Off to the mosque (church) we go!
Upon arrival it is known that this joyous day has arrived as there are thousands of cars and people gathering for the Eid pray. We are greeted my many people from around the world who gather at the mosque in observation of the morning pray to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The many different colors surrounds us with view of many decorative clothing worn by others symbolizes the joyous occasion. The mosque is decorated with balloons and streamers of reds, greens, yellows, and blues. The best hand sowed draperies hang and surrounds the windows of the mosque with its sued texture of green and gold embroidered.
I love walking through the mosque after pray as the entire atmosphere is filled with merriment and smells of sweet incent that was burnt during pray. The view of twinkling signs fills the corners of the mosque wishing everyone a “Happy Eid”. The best part is the gathering of our friends, family, not to forget their friends, that all come to our house. It’s the best feeling when everyone gathers at our house and there is no room for anyone to sit. People sit on our floors or just about wherever they can find a seat to enjoy my mom’s delicious foods and deserts.
With the laughter that sounds the air and the excitement and joy in everyone’s face is what makes this day. Also let’s not forget the gifts! It just would not be Eid if our house was not infested all day long with guests in and out of our house and the joy that comes with the festive celebration. We all have our own special celebrations that make a joyous occasion. The best part of the celebration is the folks that we share it with and the memories that are priceless. Whiles most families celebrate the traditional celebrations, Eid is what my family celebrates that makes this occasions simply the most memorable of all.
