Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 11 月【非洲異國情】宰肥羊 過新年

【非洲異國情】宰肥羊 過新年

 

一團團蠕動的牲畜,一群群扎好的綿羊, 一位矮小的老伯問售票員:「車票每位要多少錢?羊的票價呢?」幾天來,車站已逼滿了趕買車票和帶羊隻回鄉過節的人群,車票所餘不多,未能上車的人久候似無期,心情實在患得患失。原來還有兩天便是「宰羊節」。

起源與意義

宰羊節,Id al-Adha(亞拉伯話),或Tabaski(非洲話)是穆斯林全年中第二大節期,為記念他們尊崇的先知「依巴謙瑪」(即聖經的「亞伯拉罕」)遵神旨意而樂意把他兒子獻上時,蒙神以羊隻取代他兒子為祭物而立的一個日子。非洲多國與全球穆斯林看齊,選定每年十月左右(朝聖期完結前的日子)過節。虔誠的穆民都遵照在可蘭經的教訓,認為獻祭流血在真主看來比世人任何功德更為重要的事,故要宰殺羊隻。有些民間流傳則以流血有贖罪功效,領取功德和施展異能,抵禦魔鬼的侵害。他們傳統的信念認為在神赦罪前所流的血是無功效的,人所行的禮儀純屬個人降服神的虔誠表現,還有忍受苦難和捐施等功德。吃羊肉要帶感恩的心與家人同吃,並將部份分給窮人。

過節旺市

節期臨近,當地市面有明顯的變化,街道出現不少人從鄉村牽著一群群的綿羊到城市來,並放在市內某些角落出售。附近一帶群羊綿綿如雪,晝夜有羊群喧聲,甚至臭氣沖天。在這個節期月份,也為市內不少人帶來財運亨通契機。臨近節期,羊的價格高昇。還有其他配套行業也受惠暢旺。如「小刀生意」是因每戶都買新刀來宰羊;「麻繩生意」是因顧客買羊後要用繩拖帶羊隻回家;「飼料生意」如小粟、玉米、青草、是為羊隻停留墟市期內和顧客買羊後在節日前餵養所需;「服裝生意」和「理髮生意」也因要應節期而異常暢旺,當地人要剪髮和造新衣等為自身打造一番,女仕的需求更為眾多;還有一些臨時用小貨車載運羊隻到鄉郊作賣買的服務。無論如何,商戶和顧客在這個節慶中為來年生活工作能亨通和順境等而加倍耗財費力。

過節的代價

非洲穆斯林社群重視宰羊過新年。然而,辦年貨的開支給他們帶來沉重的經濟負荷。固此他們在節期早兩、三月前己開始籌備。辦貨項目中,每戶最少要預備一隻羊 (多為綿羊,也有山羊),價錢視乎羊隻大小,由美金 55 元 (若約當地工人半個月工資)至 300 元不等。其次是添造新衣,每套約為 30 至 50 元。還有其他應酬活動等,過節的巨大開支可見一斑,家庭成員眾多時,家主的重擔便百上加斤,有的要向親友借錢為解經濟燃眉之急。今年學校開課正是在過節後,面對過節和子女開學所需用,他們感到左右為難。

正日當天

首都在節期前夕顯得很冷清,因為平日市內勞動人口多來自鄉村,此間許多已回鄉過節。節日當天早上九時,各區的清真寺教長通過擴音器宣告教友到寺院來作簡單的禮拜,市長也會到場赴會。約半個之後,眾人便回家,開始進行宰羊。羊首先由人牽到空地,羊嘴朝東,戶主口中默著「願真主悅納這獻上的祭牲,正如悅納祂的朋友依瑪謙瑪」的同時將羊用刀割頸宰殺,然後用指頭沾點血後,塗在他前額上。當地一般穆民對宰羊節都不多認識教條信念,只著重家族團聚,他們大小一家都穿上新衣,遠行的人必要回鄉與家人一起吃肉,又將部份肉分給窮人。然後他們出外到鄰舍問安,彼此互相恭賀祝福,如「願真主賜你有新一年、願主賜你長壽、賜你有健康、賜你有工作、平安、家人和氣,遠離災病和不祥等。」

中、非異同:非洲的宰羊過年與中國的「春節」多有類同。最明顯的,過節辦貨都要隆重籌備和耗費相當、遠行在外的人都有一個長假期,回鄉與家人共聚同吃喝。新年要穿新衣,喻意是除舊迎新。中國除夕時到花墟買花迎吉
利,如一株桃花望行「桃花運」,或一盤四季吉求事事「如意吉祥」等。非洲穆民也從買羊隻和添衣,望來年更新吉祥。中國節期更有穿紅著綠,酒宴歌舞助興,而穆斯林因教規而減免。然而,兩者都源於一個有關在古代人物曾與神靈有接觸後得了祝福,以後世人都為這福氣而一家團聚迎福,又向鄰舍親友拜年互道咭語。節期確實祝福和凝聚了家族社群的團結。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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