An Unexpected Gift
ODC, Perfection - A neighbour gave this beautiful Gergean bag, which is a miniature of the traditional style of dress in this region, to LG today, which was such a thoughtful and generous thing to do. It's also a perfect keepsake for LG, as it will remind her of living in this part of the world in years to come.
The bag itself is used by local children on the 15th night of Ramadan to collect gifts of sweet treats and nuts as they celebrate Gergean (Gehr-ghee-yan is the closest transliteration I can offer), which is the halfway point in the holy month of Ramadan and takes place this Sunday, i.e. tomorrow (Ramadan is when all observant Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for an entire month. I must admit that I couldn't manage even one day!).
For children fasting for the first time (from around age 12) it can be a challenge as well as a very important rite of passage and here, in Kuwait, it is a tradition for parents to celebrate their children having fasted for the first 2 weeks of Ramadan by giving them gifts and sweet treats - it's a way of showing their children how proud they are of their achievement.
On this one special night children dress in traditional costume (rather like this miniature version) and after Iftar (the daily, fast breaking evening meal) they are given gifts of sweets and nuts, which they collect in cloth bags worn around their neck or over their shoulder. As well as having parties at home, they will also walk around their neighbourhood and knock on people's doors for sweet treats and I'm told that the children sing traditional songs when they receive the sweets, which, if true, is something I'm looking forward to. www.arabnews.com/node/353551
Oh, and as we aren't fasting LG's gift already contained sweets, which will have to be rationed :-).
Thank you in advance for any comments and/or favourites, which are always appreciated.
An Unexpected Gift
ODC, Perfection - A neighbour gave this beautiful Gergean bag, which is a miniature of the traditional style of dress in this region, to LG today, which was such a thoughtful and generous thing to do. It's also a perfect keepsake for LG, as it will remind her of living in this part of the world in years to come.
The bag itself is used by local children on the 15th night of Ramadan to collect gifts of sweet treats and nuts as they celebrate Gergean (Gehr-ghee-yan is the closest transliteration I can offer), which is the halfway point in the holy month of Ramadan and takes place this Sunday, i.e. tomorrow (Ramadan is when all observant Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for an entire month. I must admit that I couldn't manage even one day!).
For children fasting for the first time (from around age 12) it can be a challenge as well as a very important rite of passage and here, in Kuwait, it is a tradition for parents to celebrate their children having fasted for the first 2 weeks of Ramadan by giving them gifts and sweet treats - it's a way of showing their children how proud they are of their achievement.
On this one special night children dress in traditional costume (rather like this miniature version) and after Iftar (the daily, fast breaking evening meal) they are given gifts of sweets and nuts, which they collect in cloth bags worn around their neck or over their shoulder. As well as having parties at home, they will also walk around their neighbourhood and knock on people's doors for sweet treats and I'm told that the children sing traditional songs when they receive the sweets, which, if true, is something I'm looking forward to. www.arabnews.com/node/353551
Oh, and as we aren't fasting LG's gift already contained sweets, which will have to be rationed :-).
Thank you in advance for any comments and/or favourites, which are always appreciated.