Experiencing Idd(y)

Last Friday, Sept. 10, was a national holiday as the month of Ramadan ended and Muslims broke their fasting by celebrating Idd (pronounced "Iddy" here). There is a large Muslim population in and around Ndejje and while I was running that morning, I came across many Muslim families dressed up in their traditional garments. It was interesting to see the women, who wore head wraps that ranged from the full on bhurka, to a simple scarf wrapped around the hair, to bedazzled coverings draped over the head and shoulders.

Later that morning, as we were sitting on our front porch, two of our friends (9 and 10 year old girls named Nadia and Hadia) stopped by to invite us to their family's Idd celebration. They were pretty insistent that we come, so we changed quickly into more appropriate clothing (I was again told that I had to change my outfit, I am apparently not a good dresser by Ugandan standards) and followed them towards there home.

Upon arriving, their aunt had just finished slaughtering a turkey and was busy plucking it and beheading it before sticking it in the pot to cook. The girls' mother was preparing something which smelled delicious, and we were greeted by their two younger male cousins and the little baby cousin, Zainab, a girl. They gave us sodas to sip on and upon handing Heather and me the glasses in which to pour them into, instructed us to pour Adam's as well because men should not have to do any work themselves. I bit my tongue, seeing as it is their holiday and I didn't think it was quite the appropriate time to go into my rant about gender equality and such.

There was music playing in the background, which sounded like a choir of Muslim men/boys chanting on and on and on. The girls wanted to dance for us which was very entertaining to watch. Of course, the little one year old baby Zainab wanted to join, so she struggled to stand on her own and sway her hips back and forth. This motion caused her skirt to fall down again and again, but nobody really seemed to mind or think this was awkward, but it was hilarious for us to watch. Zainab wears a string of beads around her waist, just like most Ugandan baby girls, because they believe that it helps girls to develop a slim waist and big hips.

After the dancing, Zainab was a bit dirty, so the girls whipped out the wash tub and stuck her in, totally oblivious to the rest of the guests present. Of course the appropriate time to bathe a baby is in the middle of a party, in fronts of other guests.

Additional family members soon arrived and the food was promptly served. Of course, the men were served first and the women actually bowed down to them as they presented the food...biting my tongue again. The food was delicious and it was nice to feel full for a change. When we had finished eating and I was holding Zainab on my lap, the best and funniest part of the day proceeded to take place. Nadia and Hadia start singing a song that goes something like, "Baby Jesus is my Savior." So there I am, sitting in the middle of Africa, at an Islamic religious celebration, holding a baby with beads around her waist, listening to a song about Baby Jesus being the Savior of the world. I don't know if it gets much better than that.

Needless to say, the whole day was hilarious and so surreal. In the U.S., most holidays are celebrated with close family and friends. But here, people can't wait to invite the strange mzungus to come celebrate their most sacred of holidays. And actually, I was surprised that there seemed to be nothing religious about the celebration at all. It seemed that the girls were more excited about being able to eat again than anything else. So all in all, a very funny day and I wish my description could do it justice. Maybe when I post pictures everyone at home can get a better idea of the craziness of it all. Happy Idd(y)!!