1st May 2022
As Ramadan, the holy month of fasting draws to a close, Muslims all over the world will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr. To find out more about this important religious holiday, we asked some of our Scentmakers to share their unique insights.
Eid al-Fitr, “the festival of breaking the fast” marks the end of Ramadan. The precise date of Eid al-Fitr shifts each year and is dependent on the appearance of the crescent moon during the 10th Islamic lunar month.
Eid al-Fitr is a national holiday and one of two major Muslim celebrations (the other being Eid al-Adha) which can last up to three days. During this time, gifts are often exchanged (which is quite often a luxury fragrance) and family and friends gather to indulge in sweet treats and delicious meals.
A Global Celebration
While there are some elements of Eid al Fitr that are recognised across the world, it’s celebrated by approximately 2 billion Muslims, so it’s not surprising that different communities have their own special traditions.
Our scentmaker in Evaluation, Zara Bocus, has been observing the month of Ramadan, so we asked her how she plans to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in the UK:
Celebrating in Indonesia
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world so we were keen to hear from our Scentmakers over in Jakarta about the local traditions and celebrations that will be taking place there.
The festival begins with Mudik, which is the exodus of millions people from the cities to the villages, to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with family at their hometown. Special dishes are prepared, including Opor Ayam, a chicken dish with coconut milk and spices, and Ketupat, rice cooked in a pouch woven from young palm leaves, along with buttery cookies filled with pineapple jam.
While the spirit of Ramadan is found within, creating a home that embodies love and joy can help to make the most of this blessed time, creating a comfortable space to contemplate and reflect.
Festival Flowers
Fresh flowers are nature’s scent diffusers, they have the power to brighten up any space and uplift any mood, and so it’s no surprise that floral arrangements are often used to fragrance and decorate the home along with decorative lanterns and twinkling lights.
Tuberose is a popular ornamental plant in Indonesia. It symbolises purity and peace, making it the perfect complement to the festive atmosphere, while daisies symbolise simplicity and joy, making them another wonderful choice for the celebration.
In addition to coming together over food, families also exchange meaningful and considerate gifts that bring positive energy and joy. Floral arrangements and fragrances are the perfect way to express this sentiment, along with beautifully scented candles and, of course, delicious treats.
Eid Mubarak from everyone at Fragrance Oils, and on this Eid Al-Fitr may you be blessed with good health, happiness and prosperity.
