or BEIRAM, a Turkish word which signifies a solemn feast. The Mahometans have two Bairams, the Great and the Little. The Little Bairam is properly that held at the close of the fast Ramazan, beginning with the first full moon in the following month Shawal. This is called in Arabic Id al Fez, or the Feast of breaking the Fast; by European writers, the Turkish Easter, because it succeeds Ramazan, which is their Lent, more usually the Great Bairam, because observed with great ceremony and rejoicing at Constantinople, and through Turkey, for three days, and in Persia for five or six days, at least by the common people, to make themselves amends for the mortification of the preceding month. The feast commencing with the new moon, the Mahometans are very scrupulous in observing the time when the new moon commences; to which purpose, observers are sent to the tops of the highest mountains, who, the moment they spy the appearance of a new moon, run to the city, and proclaim Muzhdalak, "welcome news;" as it is the signal for beginning the festivity.—The Great Bairam, is properly that held by the pilgrims at Mecca, commencing on the tenth of Dhu Ihajia, when the victims are slain, and lasting three days. This is called by the Arabs, Id al adha, that is, the feast of sacrifice, as being celebrated in memory of the sacrifice of Abram, whose son God redeemed with a great victim. By European writers it is called the Lesser Bairam, as being less taken notice of by the generality of the people, who are not struck with it, because the ceremonies it is observed with, are performed at Mecca, the only scene of the solemnity.—On the feast of Bairam, after throwing little stones, one after another, into the valley of Mina, they usually kill one or more sheep, some a goat, bullock, or even a camel; and after giving a part thereof to the poor, eat the rest with their friends. After this, they have themselves. The second is a day of rest. On the third, they set out on their return home.