Eid al-Adha: A sacred tradition and its ecological challenges
Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, is one of the most important celebrations in Islam. Commemorating the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, this festival symbolises faith, devotion, and sharing. Every year, Muslims around the world sacrifice a sheep, goat, or sometimes a cow, in remembrance of this act of faith. The meat is then shared among family, friends, and those in need, emphasising the importance of mutual aid and solidarity.
Despite the spiritual and social significance of this festival, Eid al-Adha also presents environmental challenges. One of the major issues is the management of the skins of the sacrificed sheep. In many regions, these skins are often discarded without proper treatment, creating illegal dumpsites that pollute the environment and pose a public health risk. This situation calls for innovative solutions to recycle and valorise these wastes.
“A thousand and one skins”: an ecological initiative in Djebel Semmama, Tunisia
In response to this challenge, the Cultural Centre of Arts and Crafts of Djebel Semmama (CCAM Sammama) and DVV International launched a pioneering ecological initiative titled “A Thousand and One Skins” in June this year.
The main objective of this initiative was to collect, in record time, a thousand sheepskins that otherwise would usually pollute the environment. This collection activity was followed by a transformation workshop where local artisans and inhabitants of the mountain region worked for a week to prepare these skins using traditional ancestral methods.
This grand workshop brought together a team of about thirty people, including women and young people, who collaborated to transform the skins. These skins will then be used by a group of designers and visual artists to create frescoes, artistic installations, advertising media, and even giant puppets.
Valorising a precious natural resource
The “A Thousand and One Skins” initiative aims to valorise a precious natural resource that was previously unexploited in the region. Djebel Semmama is known for its large herds of goats and sheep, and this initiative highlights the economic and ecological potential of valorising the skins of these animals.
This joint initiative of the Cultural Centre of Djebel Semmama and DVV International demonstrates that it is possible to turn an environmental challenge into an economic and artistic opportunity, while respecting traditions and actively involving the local community.
Visual insights
The images offer insights into the workshop and the process of the transformation of the skins, which included the following steps:
- The skins were spread out in the sun to dry.
- Each skin was generously salted for preservation.
- The skins have been washed with juniper sticks to clean them thoroughly.
- After washing, the skins were spread out in the sun again to dry completely.
- The skins were combed to remove impurities and make them softer.
- Some skins were painted according to the desired patterns.
- The skins were sheared to even out the length of the fibres.
- Finally, the skins were decorated to make them look attractive.
