Eid al-Fitr (9-10 April) is the festival celebrated by Muslims across the globe to mark the end of the holy month of fasting. As hospitality experts, COLUMBIA signature sees many cultural traditions associated with fasting and with the foods that should be served, particularly when coming out of a fast. In this blog, we’ll explore the tradition of fasting plus offer some fasting tips and benefits.
Cultural Traditions Of Fasting
Fasting is a practice observed in various cultural and religious traditions around the world for spiritual, health, or ceremonial reasons. Examples of cultural traditions that involve fasting include Islam’s Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset; Christianity’s Lent, a period of fasting, prayer, and penance observed by many Christians in preparation for Easter that typically lasts for 40 days; and Judaism’s Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, observed with a 25-hour fast. In addition, various indigenous and tribal cultures around the world have fasting rituals as part of their religious or ceremonial practices. These fasts may be observed for purification, healing, or spiritual communion with ancestors or nature spirits.
A closer look at Eid al-Fitr reveals that it translates literally to ‘festival of the breaking of the fast’ and is often referred to as the abbreviated term, Eid. This festival is celebrated by Muslims across the globe and it marks the end of the holy month of fasting. As the crescent moon marks the conclusion of Ramadan, Eid symbolises a time of reflection, discipline, and devotion.
Many Muslims, throughout their fast, consume sweet and chewy dates, both for practical and traditional reasons. It is believed that these were the favourite food of the Prophet Muhammed, who would break his fast by consuming dates only. This is why many Muslims will break their fast with dates before consuming any other foods, as this is regarded as Sunnah – the way of the prophet.
Despite the religious connotations to the consumption of dates, there are countless health benefits also. The most prominent being that dates provide a key source of energy, which is vital for one’s body during a period of fasting. Dates are renowned for containing high levels of minerals, sugar, phytonutrients, and fibre, which each play an essential role in providing crucial nourishment to an empty stomach.
The Benefits Of Fasting
Fasting during Ramadan has been proven to have several positive effects on the body. The most prominent being that it allows the body to detoxify due to the lack of food and drink consumption, eliminating unnecessary toxins as a result.
Physical well-being is not the only outcome of fasting, but mental also. Fasting contributes to an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and helps to reduce anxiety and depression. This is why many people report feeling much more alert and positive during their fast.
In recent years there has been a large focus on the gastrointestinal tract and its relation to depression. The gut and the brain are both closely linked and this means that by treating one’s stomach well, we are also nourishing our minds! Research has shown that inflammation in one’s gut and cytokines can contribute directly to mental health and so by fasting, we are reducing the risk of inflammation and therefore any negative mental implications also.
Whether it is Eid or other cultural traditions around the world, there are many variations, purposes, and benefits associated with fasting and its spiritual, health, and ceremonial connotations.
DISCLAIMER:
Please note, all content provided is for informational purposes, and is believed to be accurate and current at the time of posting. It should not, at any time, be used in place of appropriate professional or expert advice.
