Garangao celebrations at Souq Wakra yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula
Doha: The traditional Qatari festival, Garangao, was celebrated with fervour yesterday across the country. Children wearing beautiful traditional attires were spotted visiting their neighbouring houses singing the traditional Garangao songs.
A group of children were found knocking the door of their neighbour in Al Matar area yesterday evening while singing ‘Garangao Garangao yatona atawna Allah Yatimkuk, Bait Makka Yuwaddikum (Give us, Allah will give you and send you to Masjid Al Haram in Makkah Al Mukarramah).
The children during their visits to neighbouring homes glorify the owners of homes in the songs seeking Garangao gifts.
The neighbours, usually old women welcome the children and give them gifts and sacks containing different kinds of nuts and sweets, especially blended and decorated for this unique occasion.
The traditional markets of Qatar including Souq Waqif, Souq Al Wakra, Cultural Village Foundation – Katara among other places organised special programmes and distributed Garangao gifts for children to celebrate the festival. Shopping complexes made special decorations and set up corners for showcasing Garangao gift items in large quantity.
Domestic workers distributing Garangao gifts to children at a Qatari household, in Doha. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
“Garangao festival which falls on the night of Ramadan 15 brings echoing memory of Qatari culture and heritage which is narrated by forefathers to their children and grandchildren on the occasion,” Abu Ahmad, a senior Qatari citizen told The Peninsula.
He said that everyone waits for this festival and they make preparations to celebrate it. “Girls wear traditional gowns with embroidery and gold jewellery like earrings, necklaces, bangles. And boys wear traditional Qatari dress ‘Thawb’, jackets, and caps.
Children carrying cotton bags knock doors of neighbours asking sweets and nuts praying for inhabitants of the house,” said Abu Ahmad.
He said that Garangao night is one of the popular social customs of Qatar, which has become a beautiful event in every home and for its children, their happiness could not be described in this night.
“The happiness of the festival is not limited to the children but grandparents joy when they see their grandchildren wearing Garangao dresses,” said Abu Ahmad.
The celebration of Garangao will continue today as the Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports will organise an event at Traditional Village inside Dahl Al Hamam Park.
A number of contexts will be held for children. They will be given Garangao gifts.
