Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Arife - the day when Muslims prepare for Eid

Photo: grandmufti.bg

Today is once again the day of Arife, which precedes every Bayram, no matter whether it is Ramadan or Eid.

Muslims today pay tribute to their deceased loved ones, with women in every home kneading dough, which is made into Mekitsi (Bulgarian fried dough breakfast) and handed out to relatives and neighbours, regardless of their religion or faith.


The significance of this day is closely linked to the preparation of the sacrificial animal to be offered on the following day - Eid - as an expression of gratitude to God. It is essential that the animal - be it a sheep, goat, cow, calf or camel - is healthy.

It is believed that on the Day of Judgement, this animal will meet man on the bridge that spans Hell and leads to Heaven. If the kurban is accepted by the Almighty and the man has lived righteously, he will confidently ride the animal and it will take him to Paradise.


So on this day the sacrificial animal is prepared for the feast. To make it look beautiful, the lady of the house paints its forehead, back and tail with henna.

In some villages in Bulgaria, on the day before Eid, the fiancé sends a ram to his fiancée's house, painted with henna and decorated with ribbons and a gold coin. 


One of the most important aspects of the Bayram Kurban is its distribution, which emphasises sharing. The meat of the animal is divided into three parts: one portion is kept for the family, another for relatives and friends, and the third is given to the poor, regardless of their religion or beliefs, ensuring that everyone can share in the feast.


In certain villages in the regions of Kardzhali, Burgas and Silistra, a tradition known as the "distribution of sweets" takes place on Arife Day. Adults gather in the village square and hand out sweets to children, who line up one by one to receive a handful of sweets.

Photos: grandmufti.bg, BNR - Kardzhali
Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Cuman settlement discovered near fortress of Ryahovets in Gorna Oryahovitsa

Archaeologists from the Historical Museum in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa have discovered a settlement of the Cumans this summer during the excavations of a medieval necropolis east of the Thracian fortress of Rykhovets near the town of Gorna..

published on 7/21/24 11:40 AM

Archaeological discoveries near Lovech unequivocally reveal the roots of European civilization in Bulgarian lands

Not far from the town of Lovech, between the villages of Doirentsi and Drenov, during the construction of the future route of the Hemus motorway, a seven-thousand-year-old pit sanctuary surrounded by a ritual ditch was discovered . Its exploration began..

published on 7/20/24 11:05 AM

20 July is St. Elijah’s Day – Ilinden

On one of the hottest days of summer, 20 July, the Christian Orthodox church honours the prophet Elijah. Many churches around the country have been named after the Old Testament prophet. According to the bible, Elijah lived in the 9 th century BC...

published on 7/20/24 7:10 AM