Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'Feast of Sacrifice', is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nigeria, a country with a significant Muslim population. Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, before God replaced his son with a ram to sacrifice instead. This significant event in Islamic history is marked every year, falling on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.
For Nigerian Muslims, this is a time of prayer, reflection, and remembering the less fortunate. Also, it is a time for familiy gatherings, where love and togetherness are emphasised. The day begins with a prayer at the mosque, followed by the act of Qurbani, the sacrificial killing of an animal, usually a sheep or a goat. The meat is then divided into three parts; one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
Eid al-Adha in Nigeria also means feasting and celebration. Special dishes, usually heavily featuring the meat from the sacrificial animal, are prepared and shared. In addition, gift-giving is common, particularly new clothes, to ensure everyone has something new to wear for the holiday. The Nigerian government recognises Eid al-Adha as an official public holiday, allowing everyone to take part in the celebration and spend quality time with their loved ones.