Garangao: a traditional night awaited by adults, kids in the middle of Ramadan
Children celebrate the event on the 14th day of Ramadan:
Children move from house to house, singing melodies and collecting gifts
NT Bureau
DOHA: Qatari families are preparing to celebrate the traditional Garangao Night, which with joy and fervour.
Children celebrate the event on the 14th day of Ramadan after having fasted for half of the holy month.
Garangao is a lively tradition wherein children move from house to house, singing melodies and collecting sweets and nuts from elders.
Garangao has turned into a popular occasion that adults and children await every year as it is a tradition to encourage children to fast and instill a love of the holy month in them.
Families share their joy with children on this night, in which children are rewarded for completing the fast of half the month of Ramadan and encouraged to continue and persevere in fasting the remaining half of the holy month.
The celebrations combine bringing joy and happiness to the souls of children, reviving popular heritage and authentic traditions, and enhancing the values of communication, affection and familiarity among all members of the Society.
Amina Abdullah Qutba, a consultant and trainer in cultural project management, said: “Garangao is one of the most famous popular celebrations in Qatar and the Arab Gulf countries, where it is known in Qatar as Garangao, but it takes several names in the Gulf countries, such as Garangao and Garqaan, where everyone celebrates it on the night of the middle of Ramadan, in honour and encouragement of children to fast in this holy month.”
She added that on this night, children move between the homes of neighbours, grandmothers, uncles, and aunts, collecting sweets and nuts in beautiful bags that may have a picture of the child who came to visit drawn on them, or bags embellished with a song or picture, as the children chant traditional songs associated with that occasion, which include words that express goodness and generosity.
Garangao celebrations are planned at several places.
Expo 2023 Doha at Al Bidda will celebrate Garangao with various surprises lined up for kids. The Expo School at the Family Zone will host various events tomorrow, March 24, 2024, from 6pm until midnight.
Various municipalities also announced to hold a number of activities to mark the festivity. On Monday, March 23, Doha Municipality will hold an event starting from 8pm at New Salata Park for general public.
Event will be organized by Al Rayan Municipality at Family Zone Area of Expo 2023 Doha from 8:30pm.
