BAJRÄM (BAYRAM). – In Turkish, “feast.” The Muslim religious calendar has two great feasts, the “dal-adhâ,” which falls on the 10th of the Muslim month of Dhu ’l-bigâgh, and the ‘id al-fitr, the first day of the month of Shawwāl. The ‘id al-adhâ (Feast of Sacrifices), called in Turkish biyûk b. (great feast), is celebrated on the same day on which the pilgrims at Mecca, every year, sacrifice in the valley of Minā. The sacrifice (of sheep, camels, oxen) is performed not only by the pilgrims but also by all free Muslims able to purchase an animal for sacrifice. The animals destined for sacrifice must be of a certain age and free from defects. The meat of the sacrificed animals is eaten one-third by the one offering the sacrifice, while the rest is given away.
The ‘id al-fitr (Feast of the Breaking of the Fast) is called in Turkish kûçûk b. (little feast) or şeker b. (sugar feast) and is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramaḍān. Despite the name “little feast,” it is in fact the one celebrated with greater solemnity, since it brings to an end the fast, which is particularly arduous in summer.
On both feasts, which normally last three or four days, Muslims wear new clothes, exchange visits, greetings, and gifts. Especially on the ‘id al-fitr, they visit cemeteries, where some remain for an entire night. Further popular customs vary according to the country. Common to both feasts is the festival prayer (ṣalāt al-‘īd), somewhat different from the normal ritual prayer and retaining more ancient characteristics; it is generally performed in the open air rather than in a mosque, as is also the case with some extraordinary prayers.