BAJRĀM (BAYRAM). - In Turkish, “festival.” The Muslim religious calendar recognizes two great festivals: the 'id al-adhā, which falls on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Dū 'l-hiḡāh, and the 'id al-fitr, on the first day of the month of Sawwāl. The 'id al-adhā (festival of sacrifices), called in Turkish būyūk b. (great festival), is celebrated on the same day on which the pilgrims to Mecca, every year, offer sacrifices in the valley of Mina. The sacrifice (of sheep, camels, cattle) is performed not only by the pilgrims but also by all free Muslims able to purchase an animal for sacrifice. Animals intended for sacrifice must be of a specified age and free from defects. One third of the meat of the sacrificed animals is consumed by the person offering the sacrifice, while the rest is given away.
The 'id al-fitr (festival of the breaking of the fast) is called in Turkish kūṭūk b. (little festival) or ṭeker b. (festival of sugar), and is celebrated precisely at the end of the month of ramadān. Despite the name “little festival,” it is in fact celebrated with greater solemnity, since it brings the fast to an end, particularly onerous in summer.
On both festivals, which as a rule last three or four days, Muslims put on new clothes and exchange visits, good wishes, and gifts. Especially during the 'id al-fitr, cemeteries are visited, where some remain for an entire night. Further popular customs vary according to country. Common to both festivals is the festival prayer (salāt al-'id), somewhat different from the normal ritual prayer, which preserves more ancient characteristics and is generally performed in the open air rather than in a mosque, as is also the case with certain extraordinary prayers. Alessandro Bausani