Children along with their families in Qatar will celebrate the traditional Garangao night on Wednesday, in the context of national and popular keenness to preserve Qatar’s heritage, customs, traditions and authentic identity and to instill love for the holy month in the hearts of children.
The Garangao night is marked across all parts of Qatar in a distinct heritage atmosphere, combining the revival of popular heritage, joy and fun, enhancing communication, spreading the spirit of affection, familiarity and love in society, and encouraging children to know the customs of their society.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), popular researcher Khalifa Al Sayed Al Maliki explained that Garangao is an old traditional habit that is celebrated every year on the night of the middle of the blessed month of Ramadan, adding that this occasion is a reminder to the new generation of what parents and family were like in the past. It is an inherited habit and aims to encourage children to continue fasting until the end of the holy month, and it is also an occasion to reward them for fasting half of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Falling on the 14th evening of the holy month, the celebration sees children adorned in traditional Qatari clothes chanting a special Garangao song and walking around their neighborhoods collecting candy, nuts and chocolates from the neighbors. Their attires are custom-made and come with pouches giving them a space to store all their goodies. Garangao bags are prepared for this occasion, where children will have an opportunity to decorate and customize their Garangao bags before they collect their goodies and get their giveaways.
Unique to Qatar and the wider Gulf, the celebration of Garangao is one of Ramadan’s most beloved traditions for young children. Each country of the Gulf has a slightly different name for the festival; in Saudi Arabia it is Karkee’aan, Kuwait it is Gargee’aan, in Oman it is called Garangashoch. (QNA)
Source: Qatar News Agency