The Celebration Of Eid With Traditional Cuisines In Different Cultures

The three-day holiday, pronounced ‘Eid ul-Fitr,’ marks the end of Ramadan's daily fasting; done by Muslim’s to promote self-restraint and repentance. After 30 days of fasting from dawn to dusk, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid known as "The Feast of Fast-Breaking".  Since traditional pre-dawn Ramadan breakfasts usually consist of considerable fiber and protein rich dishes like eggs, beans, yogurt and cheese meant to support Muslims in meeting nutritional necessities and requirements while fasting. The celebration of Eid in terms of food on the other hand, can be leisurely and luxurious.

Eid Prayers In Indian Mosque-Image From: YouTube

Morning prayers start well after sunrise, people meet and greet each other in the mosques and on the way to home. The sweet rewards of dessert usually grace the table and as do seasonal fruits and many other savory dishes after prayers.

Different cultures celebrate Eid in a variety of ways. Children are the lucky ones who get to eat a lot of chocolates and desserts and receive Eidi (cash given as token of love) from their elders when people visit each other’s homes and organize social Eid gatherings. One thing that remains common in all the cultures is celebrating eid with different desserts, sweets and their culture’s respective specialties.

Image From: thekitchn.com

There are a number of customs which are unique to each country especially with regard to their traditional cuisines, so let’s take a look at the Eid specialties of different cultures!

Kahk-Image From: wanderingspice.com

Egyptsees four days of celebration, with preparations starting several days earlier. Special biscuits Known as Petit Fours are made to give to friends and relatives on the day. The men will go to the mosque early in the morning, while the women start work on the preparation of the fish that will form the centerpiece of a great celebratory lunch. It is common to prepare Fata made with rice and meat and served with bread and soup. They also prepare some special cakes and biscuits for Eid. Rich, powdered sugar cookies known as Kahk which have roots in ancient Egypt and during the 10th century were stuffed with gold coins and distributed to the poor are often served.

Eid Chand-Image From: Wikipedia

For the Pakistani community, ‘Chand Raat’ (the Eid-eve) is as important as Eid. Chand Raat is a very special occasion and people are found to be celebrating as well as completing all of their important tasks for the next day. Pakistani women gather to apply Henna and buy bangles and other accessories as part of the cultural practice of celebrating Eid.

Bangles-Image From: urdushanas.com

Dahi Bhalay, Chana chat, Kheer, Gajar Ka Halwa, Biriyani Kababs and Samosas together with tea and coffee are some of the unavoidable factors for traditional Pakistani Eid celebration.

Sher Khorma-Image From: forum.xcitefun.net

One of the special dishes in India and Pakistan is Sheer Khorma, toasted vermicelli noodles, which is served for the first breakfast after the fast. Vermicelli are boiled until soft then drained and mixed with creamy milk and sugar. Sher Khorma is compulsory in every Pakistani home on the day of Eid.

Klaicha-Image From: 3.bp.blogspot.com

In Iraq, a lamb may be sacrificed for the occasion, and a special Eid sweetmeat called Klaicha, a date-filled pastry, is made and the family enjoys a breakfast of buffalo cream with honey and bread before going on to the family lunch together.

Biryani-Image From: static.ifood.tv

In Bahrain, people dress smartly and call at their friends and neighbors’ homes in the evening and are given sweets. The family lunch will consist of Biryani (a mixed rice dish of meat and spices), stuffed and  sweet pastries (Samosay), and other sweetmeats.

Custard-Image From: newscientist.com

The three-day celebration starts with a family lunch in Somalia which includes rice mixed with meat and vegetables, and pasta accompanied by Anjira (a thin bread prepared liked chapatti roti). Halva, which in Somalia is more like cumin-flavored custard, is also served, along with special fried (or baked) biscuits.

Lapis Legit-Image From: web.mit.edu

In Indonesia, Eid is celebrated with the traditional sweet Lapis Legit, a rich layered cake and Ketupat. The family lunch consists of dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef, but never fish. Here, the celebrations will last for a whole month.

Malaysia Eid ul-Fitr Meal-Image From: Wikipedia

In neighboring Malaysia too, the Eid visiting and celebrations will also continue for a month.

Ketupat-Image From: Wikipedia

Festive dishes of Malaysia include Ketupat, rice cooked in a special way in boxes made of natural coconut leaves and Lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo cane), served with Beef Rendang.

In Turkey, nation-wide celebrated holidays are referred to as Bayram, and Eid ul-Fitr is referred to as both ?eker Bayram?(Bayram of Sweets).

Baklava-Image From: nfoldgeometry.blogspot.com

It is regarded as especially important to honor elderly citizens by kissing their right hand and placing it on one's forehead while wishing them bayram greetings. It is also customary for young children to go around their neighborhood, door to door, and wish everyone a "Happy Bayram," for which they are awarded candy, chocolates, traditional sweets such as Baklava and Turkish Delight, or a small amount of money at every door.

Eid is all about bringing the family, friends and neighbors closer. It highlights the importance of unity and shared values and the distinctiveness of Muslims lives. A cheerful and festive mood is in the air as people prepare to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. It promotes goodwill and brotherhood for common good so that different communities can draw strength from each other, by acting together based on their shared values and destinies.