By Sidi Mohamed
The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar is all set to celebrate Garangao today, the traditional festival that falls in the middle of Ramadan.
The festival is known in Qatar as Garangao, and by different names in other GCC countries, and celebrated after breaking of the fast on the 14th day of Ramadan. Families exchange visits, children wearing traditional clothes and singing a special Garangao song knock on every door in their neighbourhood to collect sweets, candies and nuts in their little sweet pouches. Women wear bokhnuq (a head covering) and fine jewellery, while men wear the “thobe”, “ghutra” and “egal”(traditional men’s dress).
The festival holds special importance for children because they are able to dress in colourful outfits. Traditional games such as Tagyah Dahouri, Gaiss, allinah and Natou are played by families and they give the children a taste of the traditional experience. The festival inherited from the past is more of a cultural practice than a religious one. Also, it is seen to be significant as it brings a day of happiness for every person whether young or old. To keep this tradition intact, institutions and organisations have lined up a variety of activities for children this evening.
The Traffic Department advised motorists to be cautious while driving and reduce speed, especially in residential areas to ensure safety of children celebrating Garangao.
Major Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, Assistant Director of Media and Traffic Awareness Department, said the department in collaboration with Lekhwiya and Al Fazaa will deploy patrols after Maghrib prayer in important locations such as Old Airport, Al Dafna and Al Rayyan. The department has prepared 5,000 reflective bags and distributed them to children. “Today we are organising two activities, one in Villaggio and the other in Souq Waqif, and will distribute gifts to children in addition of activities to raise awareness about how to cross roads.”
The Peninsula
