INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Pecanwood Estate and Pecanwood Country Club
For Muslims, Eid requires a sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows, or camels. The sacrifice does not have to be performed at the homestead, and many Muslims will gather at communal facilities or at the homes of family members that are equipped for the purpose. Traditionally the meat is shared: one-third with the needy, one-third with family members, and one-third for the household.
Of course, slaughtering – whether ritual or not – requires suitable facilities and safe and hygenic processes. In some parts of cities, there are communal slaugher facilities where people can carry out their own slaughter and take the meat and / or blood home. It’ s worth considering providing small communal slaughter facilities that are kept clean, and meet the requirements of all relevant cultures. This takes up a surprisingly small area, as it’ s not a production line but would deal with only one animal at a time. are severing ties with their traditional homesteads and putting down roots in the city, so this should be considered.
Weddings – and funerals – often require the presence of distant family members so residents may, for a short while, host some of their extended family in their homes – perhaps even sleeping on couches and floors.
Some Hindu, Muslim and / or African weddings require‘ small family gatherings’ at the home for certain stages of the long nuptial process. But small family gatherings can mean 200 people!
Weddings and funerals can be disruptive, but they are events that take place very infrequently, and good planning can minimise any inconvenience to neighbours.
It would have to be situated in a secluded spot to which animals can be easily transported without disruption. It’ s also a good idea to include a cold room for hanging the carcasses temporarily. This may sound strange but, really, it is a very small space that – if properly managed – can be very clean and hygenic, and will produce no smells or other nasties. It needs to be carefully planned.
Bottom line
It’ s really all about sensitivity, and a willingness to cater for all residents and visitors. Even as we celebrate‘ braai day’ on the 24th, we should remember that some of our citizens will be doing so with butternuts, mielies and yummy veg kebabs, not spare ribs and pork sausage.
Encourage residents to hold big events, e. g. wedding receptions, in the clubhouse or function venue rather than at their homes. For inevitable large gatherings of people at residents’ homes, organise special parking, and perhaps a shuttle.
Animal sacrifice
Although eating meat is widely accepted in South Africa generally, there are many people – even meat eaters – who are not comfortable with animal sacrifice. However, it is an indispensable part of some religions.
Traditional African religion requires animal sacrifice at significant times like weddings, funerals, and perhaps the birth of children. Usually the sacrifice is held at the ancestral home in the rural areas but, increasingly, city dwellers lose their rural links, and make new ancestral homes in the city. This means that there is – and may continue to be – a growing need for estates to accommodate animal sacrifice. It is important that the sacrifice be performed relatively close to the residence so that some of the blood may be poured into the ground( not a huge amount – it’ s symbolic). Crossways Farm Village
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