Ramadan is a month of fasting where Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, worship, and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.
Although Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, performing special prayers, it is also an occasion for joy, communication with relatives and neighbours, and spending time with friends and families.
The 14th day of Ramadan every year and after having fasted for half of the Holy Month, children celebrate an event they anticipate for the whole year -- Garangao.
The night celebration of Garangao is rooted in Qatar’s tradition and other Arab Gulf countries and is believed to have its origins in the tradition of pearl diving. Children are adorned in traditional Qatari clothes, chant special songs of Garangao, walk around their neighbourhoods collecting candy, nuts and chocolates from their elders. Their colourful traditional dresses are specially made for this day with hand bags to collects their gifts and sweets.
Today thousands of children will celebrate across the country and participate in the Garangao festival organised by many institutions as a tradition taking place in Ramadan. This event is a platform for community togetherness and to share happiness and joy with children
The Garangao festival organised by Qatar Foundation features a number of entertainment activities, including arts and crafts, storytelling, games, pony rides, time-honoured folk songs, and amusing puppet shows for children. Along the traditional Garangao gifts and sweets they receive, children will also be given complimentary books.
One of the objectives of marking this day every year is to preserve Qatar’s heritage, customs, traditions, authentic identity and to inspire children on devotion and love for the Holy Month. For this reason, children along with their families celebrate the traditional Garangao night, 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.
The Grangao festival is also an occasion to introduce the children to the tradition and life of their parents and the history of their ancestors. It is an inherited habit and aims to encourage children to continue fasting until the end of the Holy Month, especially those who have fasted for the first time in their lives. It is also an occasion to introduce the Qatari culture to expatriates and foreigners living in the country.
