Print this page
Thursday, 14 July 2022 09:23

Tradition of Decorating Sacrificial Animals

Written by  Rahma
Rate this item
(0 votes)

 

A few days ago, all Muslims in the world celebrated Eid al-Adha. On this holiday, some Muslims slaughter animals, such as cows, goats or buffaloes as ssacrificial ones every year. Unlike Muslims in general, people in Kenagarian Bawan, Ampek Nagari District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra Province also slaughter sacrificial animals during Eid al-Adha. Uniquely before being cut, the sacrificial animals usually will be decorated. This tradition develops and becomes hereditary and if it is not implemented, the local people of Kenagarian Bawan consider their worship less perfect.


In the process of slaughtering, the person who sacrifices must provide tools to decorate the sacrificial animals. The tools are glass, combs, perfume and many others. If this is not done, the slaughtering process cannot be carried out. The local community wants the animals to be sacrificed not only in terms of health but also appearance. After being declared eligible, the animal will be decorated like a normal human being by using powder, perfume, comb, shroud and many others.

Powder used for animals may be in any form and brand. The goal is that the animals to be slaughtered may look better in the afterlife and as a vehicle for those who make sacrifices. A comb is used to comb the hair on the head of the sacrificial animals. Perfume is given to give a fragrant aroma. Lipstick is given if the sacrificial animal is female.

The shroud is a white cloth, which is used to cover the sacrificial animals before they are slaughtered and to wrap the animal's nails after being slaughtered and buried. The sarong/long cloth is intended as an alms material that will be given to scholars for slaughtering animals. Each cloth provided is based on the gender of the person who sacrifices. If the sacrifice is a man, he will provide a sarong and if the sacrifice is a woman, a long cloth is provided.

After being decorated, the sacrificial animals will be given food, such as yellow rice (silamak), black sticky rice, pinyaram and so on. Tools and materials as well as food provided by the persons who sacrifice are all given to the animals with the aim of feeling happy and unafraid when being slaughtered.

Read 458 times