Qatar has geared up to celebrate its traditional festival ‘Garangao’ with zeal. The festival falls on 14th night of Ramadan.
Traditional markets such as Souq Baladi, Souq Waqif and other major outlets are packed with gift packets comprising chocolates, nuts and candies.
The gifts are displayed at a special decorated place in the outlets, giving a traditional look.
The festival brings back memories of Qatari culture and heritage, narrated to children by their grandfathers on the occasion. To mark the festival, girls wear traditional gowns with embroidery and gold jewellery, while boys wear traditional Qatari dress, ‘Thwab’, jackets and caps. As per the tradition, children sing when visiting their neighbouring houses for gifts.
However, this year, they will celebrate the festival at homes, maintaining social distancing, following preventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
To compensate for the ban of this collective celebration, due to social distancing, the Ministry of Culture and Sports launched an initiative that enables children to receive gifts, enjoy a puppet show and catch a glimpse of their favourite Qatari artists from their homes.
Special buses to distribute gifts
According to the plan, the Ministry will organize special buses for the night of Garangao to distribute gifts to children at homes. The gifts will be packed and disinfected properly, through preventive measures, to curb the spread of the virus. Also, strict measures will be in place to avoid gathering.
The buses will play Garangao songs through loudspeakers, wishing health, safety and happiness for all, and will inspire children to know more about community traditions.
The celebration will be held together with a group of sport clubs and entities affiliated to Ministry of Culture and Sports with full commitment to adhere to preventive measures.
About 10 sports clubs are participating in the celebrations, and the buses will run within the country carrying the logo of the Sports Ministry and the club, all equipped with loudspeakers, playing Garangao songs.
“Although it is difficult to cover all areas in the country, most of the children will get the gifts of Garangao,” said Issa al Harami, Director of Sport Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The Director further said that the celebration aims to preserve the heritage of Qatar, by passing on from one generation to another, and to bring great joy for people of all age groups, particularly children, who are eager to move in groups singing Garangao songs.
“The Ministry decided to hold these activities in this way to compensate children for what they missed because of the outbreak of coronavirus,” said Al Harami.
Meanwhile, an artist from Theatre Affairs Centre, Salah Al Mulla, said that children’s favorite artists including Mohamad Anwar, Hadiya Saeed, will distribute gifts to children. The puppet shows will be played through the windows of bus, for children to catch a glimpse of their favorite artist.
‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ campaign
Qatar Museums together with Hamad Medical Corporation have launched the ‘Stay Home Stay Safe’ campaign to invite families in Qatar to virtually get together and celebrate Garangao.
The initiative aims to encourage families to practice safe social distancing when celebrating traditional night of festivities by sharing children’s photos dressed in traditional Garangao clothes. The photos can be posted on the Instagram pages of QM and HMC to spread the joy and happiness of the holy month of Ramadan.
The initiative also aims to promote virtual ties between families and friends, helping in preservation of Garangao tradition and celebrations, despite the difficult times.
Families who wish to share their children’s photos can post it to https://www.instagram.com/qatar_museums/?hl=en
