Swahili readings / Beginner 2 / Holidays & Traditions

My Eid al-Fitr Day

Siku Yangu ya Iddi al Fitr

Ninaishi na familia yangu katika mji mdogo. Kila mwaka tunasherehekea Iddi al Fitr baada ya mwezi wa Ramadhani. Siku hii ni maalum sana kwa sababu inamaanisha tumemaliza kufunga, kuomba, na kujifunza kuwa wavumilivu. Asubuhi, tunaamka mapema, tunaoga, na tunavaa nguo safi. Baba hununua manukato mepesi, na mama hutayarisha kahawa na tende. Baada ya hapo, tunaenda msikitini kwa sala ya Iddi pamoja na majirani na marafiki. Baada ya sala, tunakumbatiana na kusema Idd Mubarak! Tunatembelea wazee wa ukoo, na tunatoa sadaka ndogo kwa watu wanaohitaji. Nyumbani, meza inajaa vyakula rahisi na vitamu: pilau la harufu nzuri, samaki wa kukaanga, mishkaki, sambusa, na matunda mengi. Mimi napenda kusaidia jikoni, kukata vitunguu, kupamba saladi, na kusafisha vyombo. Tunakula pamoja, tunacheka, na tunasimulia hadithi za mwaka uliopita. Jioni, watoto hupokea zawadi na sarafu, na wanacheza michezo mitaani hadi usiku mapema. Mimi na dada yangu tunapiga picha za kumbukumbu, na tunatuma salamu kwa marafiki wanaoishi mbali. Siku ya Iddi inanifanya nijisikie karibu na Mungu, na pia karibu na watu wengine. Ingawa sikukuu inaisha haraka, tunabaki na amani, matumaini, na shukrani. Kila mwaka nasubiri Iddi al Fitr kwa moyo mkunjufu, kwa sababu hunikumbusha furaha ya familia, urafiki, na imani.

English Translation

I live with my family in a small town. Every year we celebrate Eid al-Fitr after the month of Ramadan. This day is very special because it means we have finished fasting, praying, and learning to be patient. In the morning, we wake up early, we wash, and we wear clean clothes. Father buys light perfume, and mother prepares coffee and dates. After that, we go to the mosque for the Eid prayer together with neighbors and friends. After the prayer, we hug and say, Eid Mubarak! We visit the elders of the clan, and we give small charity to people in need. At home, the table is full of simple and sweet foods: pilau with a good smell, fried fish, kebabs, samosas, and many fruits. I like to help in the kitchen, cutting onions, decorating the salad, and cleaning the dishes. We eat together, we laugh, and we tell stories of the past year. In the evening, children receive gifts and coins, and they play games in the streets until early night. My sister and I take memory photos, and we send greetings to friends who live far away. The day of Eid makes me feel close to God, and also close to other people. Although the holiday ends quickly, we remain with peace, hope, and gratitude. Every year I wait for Eid al-Fitr with a joyful heart, because it reminds me of the happiness of family, friendship, and faith.