(Belated) Eid Mubarak!

It's been about a week since Eid Al'Azah (or Kurbani Eid as many Bangladeshis call it) when over 8 million, as estimated in a national newspaper, animals (mainly cows and goats) were slaughtered across the country from ~9am to 1pm.  A joyous and entertaining holiday by just about all Bangladeshi standards while a time to stay locked in doors for many of those not naturally inclined to celebrate the event. 

The holiday warms up about 2 days before the celebration when the talk of cattle cost reaches top priority and we start to see people walking their new prized possession home from the big market.  The animals are kept on display outside of houses and are often garland up.  They are certainly pampered once brought home with a guard assigned to just about every animal.  On our street there were at least 6 cows and 5 goats tied up the night before Eid.  Henry loved to point them all out.  This puts going Christmas tree hunting to shame - although I still prefer Christmas light decorations lighting up the night.

Then there's Eid.  Luckily Henry was quite oblivious to the gore but he was so sad to not see his hairy friends out and about and calling at him the next day.  Here we go on our walk to the Club around 10:30am.  Block your eyes if you don't want to see blood and guts.

The remains in the entry level parking lot as we got off the elevator: Yes, a cow has just been cut up in our buildings entry way parking lot.

As we turn onto the street...

From another angle - because that's just what you're asking for:

As we walk down the street notice the women and children cleaning out the intestines up on the left and then another cow that we'll get up close and personal with up on the right.

Then that cow that was up on the right.

Right outside the club - literally across the entrance gate. So much for trying to avoid the excitement.

Then we enjoyed a morning at the Club

And then he passed out on the way home, missing what is in the following photo

The men who walk around and perform the sacrifices, with their long sharp knives and often blood spattered panjabis begin to walk back out of the neighborhood.

Just think of all the leather produced.  We can put it in perspective because by about 2pm we see many rickshaws with piles of fresh hides stacked up.  Lovely.  And on that note....