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

Sliven's new Metropolitan Arseniy

The Diocese of Sliven has a new Metropolitan, in front of the Synod he was greeted with exclamations "Unworthy"

In the centuries-old tradition of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the laity have always greeted the new cleric or bishop with exclamations of "worthy". In this way they express their respect and hope that he will wisely lead the congregation to spiritual..

published on 5/27/24 4:23 PM

Tsar Ferdinand’s remains to be transported to Sofia

On May 29, the remains of Tsar Ferdinand will be transported from the city of Coburg to Sofia by military plane, which will land at the government VIP terminal of Sofia Airport around 2:00 PM. The coffin will be solemnly taken down and placed in a..

published on 5/27/24 8:53 AM

When was the Glagolitic alphabet created?

Is the Slavic alphabet Bulgarian? With the different interpretations of the historical facts taken out of the specific context, more and more often we can read that the brothers Cyril and Methodius from Thessaloniki..

published on 5/24/24 5:15 AM