Ramazan bayrami is the first of two Bayrams celebrated every year, and it marks the end of the thirty days of fasting during Ramazan. Kurban bayrami or the Feast of Sacrifice comes two months later, where families sacrifice a lamb to share 1/3 of the meat with neighbors and family, 1/3 with those in need and the remaining third to eat for themselves.
It’s amazing to be in Turkey 🇹🇷 to experience the month-long fast (I was just a spectator–it was Koray who fasted from sunrise to sunset), the special iftar dinners every night with the prayers and mezze traditions, and now an open house on Bayram day itself to welcome visiting family and friends. Amidst all this came our first experience of Spring (and all the sheep! I’m an uber fan of sheep now), and two other Holy Weeks: Easter and Orthodox Easter. We were even able to squeeze in two visits to Mary’s house in Ephesus to offer prayers and petitions.🙏
Today, everyone is dressed up, chocolates and Turkish coffee ready to serve to guests and the house is given an extra special Spring cleaning to welcome the new season. Yesterday, groceries and malls were swarming with crowds and families buying gifts, sweets, and new dresses for Bayram, and even the line at the carwash was crazy! Traffic in downtown Izmir was at a standstill as offices closed at midday and the roads were packed with people flocking to the coastal towns to spend the holiday in their summer houses. Altogether it feels like a mix of Christmas and Holy Week in one, complete with the feasts, pamasko, reunions, visits, and holiday fever. Truly thankful we’re able to experience this with our Turkish family, and sending everyone lots of clarity, holy energy and joy. 🙌
