Widya: Eid al-Adha Satay Spice Maker Who Avoids Meat Due to Childhood Trauma

The tradition of grilling satay during Eid al-Adha is synonymous with family meals. However, Widya, 33, experiences something different. The woman is the family’s go-to for preparing satay spice, despite her own dislike for satay and sacrificial meat. Every Eid al-Adha, Widya’s kitchen is bustling. From grinding garlic to mixing soy sauce, preparing peanut sauce, and ensuring the satay tastes just right for her family, all tasks fall to Widya. Her family even waits for Widya’s spice blend before starting to grill the satay. “If it’s not mixed by me, they say it tastes different,” Widya laughed on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. Despite her skill in mixing satay spice, Widya admits she does not eat any of the satay she prepares. Widya says her aversion to meat has been present since childhood. She admits to being traumatised by witnessing the slaughter of sacrificial animals during Eid al-Adha. “I’ve never liked meat since childhood. I often saw the animal slaughter process during Eid al-Adha and couldn’t handle the blood,” she said.