By Amna Pervaiz Rao
DOHA: Streets of Qatar turned festive and colourful yesterday as children in resplendent attire celebrated Garangao.
Groups of sprightly children in pompous cultural outfits with bags around their necks went around collecting sweets, nuts and money.
Garangao is a special occasion for children that allows them to dress colourfully, learn about folklore and have fun during the month of Ramadan. There are customary Garangao songs sung by children in groups as they wander through the neighbourhood collecting goodies in their little pouches.
“Children in a group under the supervision of an adult went door-to-door to collect colourful sweets, nuts and money while singing their national songs. They wait for this occasion through the year and are keyed up to celebrate it enthusiastically,” Ibtiyal, an Arab woman told The Peninsula.
Traditional games such as Tagyah (tug-of-war), Dahouri (wheel pushing), Gaiss (hopscotch) plus Gallinah and Natou are enjoyed by families and give the children a taste of tradition.
Also, there are special decorations, traditional souqs with plenty of events, and great food such as: Jarish, Harees, Khanfaroosh and Lugaimat to name a few.
Elaborating on the origin of the festival, Abdulaziz said that according to Um Khalaf, a renowned storyteller from Qatar, Garangao is a celebration which was created for young children as reward for successfully memorising 15 chapters of the Holy Quran. He added that young children really look forward to Garangao as they have been fasting for 14 days and so when the special night arrives, it’s a chance for them to play games, sing songs, tell stories, dress up and compete to see who has collected the most sweets.
Over the decades, Garangao and Ramadan have intertwined and with its ambiguous origins, GCC citizens have come to accept it as a form of cultural celebration which strengthens the relationship of children with their friends, family and their neighbourhoods.
In addition, it is also a time when children memorise the Holy Quran and are rewarded with sweets and goodies.
Many government and non-government institutions also celebrated Garangao yesterday.
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) marked the day with a special ceremony attended by a large number of children at the main office.
The committee marks this traditional festival every year with children wearing traditional clothes and singing Garangao songs to revive the customs and tradition of Qatar, said Jaber Al Uwail, head of the Legal Department at the NHRC.
This year, families have got added enjoyment with wide varieties of celebrations, hosted by several organisations, marking the occasion unique of its kind.
Aspire zone –at Fareej “Ramdan Family Village” celebrated Garangao with a special storytelling session, a short film screening, singing traditional songs and a distribution of Garangao gifts. Nine days of celebration of Ramadan ends with the celebration of Garangao.
Head of Events Lolwa Al Marri said this is the second year we are celebrating Ramadan with the same excitement as last year.
This year we have placed stalls to promote Qatari youth to promote their business which they run on “instagram”. They can now sell their dresses and food here. We have booth for free photography, henna corners and face paintings. There is a theatre for the kids to understand why Garangao is celebrated. Singing competition and a magician for the entertainment of children followed with free gifts for all kids.
Event manager Abdullah Al Khater said: These activities are especially designed to interact with kids and families. The last night was designed to celebrate Garangao. The logistics were given by Aspire Zone and we successfully pulled off an event of nine days. We hope to celebrate Ramadan with more eagerness next year.
Katara Cultural Village hosted a “scavenger hunt” for children yesterday, started at 8pm and lasted till 11pm for kids to find Garangao gifts near the amphitheatre area. Children were lined up to start at one location and walk through Katara from one gift collection point to another. There will be various events happening at each collection point, and refreshments will be offered.
United Development Company hosted a night of stories and Qur’an readings on the Pearl at a traditional tent setting at Souq Al Medina in Medina Centrale’s indoor arena. Attendees also had an opportunity to use of the henna corners, face painting stations, inflatable slides and bouncing castles. Snacks and treats were offered. Children were also given the chance to go around various restaurants in Medina Centrale to receive Garangao goodie bags, accompanied by a Musaher, the traditional suhoor drummer.
Souq Waqif welcomed everyone to the celebration of Garangao in Souq Waqif, hosted by Sout Al Rayyan, yesterday from 7pm until 11:45pm. Souq Waqif Art Center celebrated Garangao creative activities yesterday from 8pm until 11pm. Ramadan lantern was also included in the event. In addition to this, greeting cards were issued and painted names on T-shirts. Ezdan Mall will celebrate Garangao next week on June 24 from 8pm to 11pm on the basement floor, near Vodafone’s store.
The Peninsula
