Last Tuesday was the Muslim holiday Kurman Ait. The holiday is meant to celebrate life. In someways, it’s the opposite of Orozo Ait, which is a memorial day for those who have died.  For locals the day started with men going to the local mosques for reading of the Koran and animal sacrifices. A family or a group of people may kill a sheep or a cow. Custom dictates that the sheep be divided into 7 parts and then given to the poor or orphan houses.

While the men are at mosque, the women are at home cooking. Usually the meal involves plov (rice,meat,carrot dish), numerous salads, and borsok (fried pieces of dough). In the afternoon, people come and go from each others homes (guesting).  It is said that one should try to go to 7 houses; however, this is not a must. I talked to a few ladies that cooked for their families and made it to only a neighbor or two’s houses.  I managed to make it to 4 homes, and it took about 6 hours. Also part of guesting is the ‘to go bag’ of food guests are given. I ended up with 3 bags of borsok, candy and rolls. Needless to say, it’s been a carb heavy week!

~ by Amber on November 21, 2010.