Kids in Garangao costumes collect goodies from neighbours at Msheireb Downtwon Doha.
Doha: Tomorrow is a special treat for children as the country is celebrating “Garangao,” a Gulf tradition where kids walk on the neighbourhood while they sing traditional songs and receive gifts and sweets from the elderly.
Various organisations and places have lined-up activities to celebrate this annual tradition which falls on the 14th day of Ramadan. According to Qatar Tourism, it originated as a way to celebrate children as they attempted to fast.
Parents and families who haven’t prepared yet for this special occasion can head over to Souq Waqif to buy Garangao pouches, sweets, nuts and to complete the whole package – a traditional cloth or Garangao clothes with matching candy pouches to wear while celebrating this tradition.
Starting today until tomorrow, April 15, Msheireb Downtown Doha and Education City will hold activities in line with this custom. Msheireb Downtown Doha will hold this occasion on Al Kahraba street where Ramadan corner is also placed featuring food stalls and local brands everyone can enjoy.
At Education City, as part of its Ramadan Cultural Nights, Garangao celebration will take place along with kids’ nightly activities, cultural performances, workshops, exhibitions and Qatar Reads reading corner. Food and marketplace vendors are also stationed which run from 8pm until 2am at the area adjacent to Multaqa Student Centre in Oxygen Park.
A Garangao Night Celebrations will be conducted by the municipality of Al Khor and Thakira at Ayen Hleetan Market after Isha and Taraweeh prayer tonight.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family along with the celebration of Family day tomorrow will coincide Garangao through songs and games at Torba Market in Education City. The two-day programme includes art activities, Torba Junior with Acdemyati Garangao edition, Kids candle workshop, Kids! Make your own cup with ceramic cube, and vendors offering Ramadan food options are also available at the market. Various malls also prepared their own version of Garangao.
Gulf Mall and Gate Mall will celebrate it on April 15 offering complementary goodies, popcorn and face painting.
Mall of Qatar starting today until tomorrow will host activities like Hakawati or the traditional art of storytelling, explored through the artifacts on display; Kids choir, and candy distribution will take place.
Siblings Rohannah Kricel Mendoza and Gabriel Moses Mendoza told The Peninsula that they are looking forward for this event especially during Ramadan.
Rohannah, aged 10 said she is excited to celebrate Garangao along with friends. “I can’t wait to collect all the candies I can as we sing along and knock on doors.”
Gabriel Moses said he can’t wait to wear the Garangao costume his parents bought him. The eight-year old kid said the night will be filled with fun and laughter as they visit family friends and places like Souq Waqif and Musheireb Downtown Doha to enjoy the tradition.
Qatar Tourism explained Garangao occurs midway through Ramadan. Families gather at a Ghabga (late night meal), and hand out the Garangao – mixed bags of nuts, sweets, sugared kernels, and other candies to children in the neighbourhood, who sing the “Gara,” a traditional song, through the night.
Gara is the Khaliji (Gulf) word for the sound of two things knocking together, connoting the sound of the nuts and sweets in bags, or the sound of knocking on doors.
