By Itoro Oladokun
05 March 2025 |
1:18 pm
Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a interval of fasting, prayer, and reflection noticed by Muslims worldwide. Whereas the essential practices of fasting, giving alms, and prayer are uniform all over the place, numerous cultures incorporate distinctive traditions into their apply to make the interval much more fulfilling. Being so wanting to…
Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a interval of fasting, prayer, and reflection noticed by Muslims worldwide. Whereas the essential practices of fasting, giving alms, and prayer are uniform all over the place, numerous cultures incorporate distinctive traditions into their apply to make the interval much more fulfilling. Being so keen to search out out what the world is doing and cultural practices on this holy month, my analysis led me to fascinating practices by Ramadan celebrants. See all of them.
Egypt’s fanoos lanterns
It’s on this fasting month in Egypt that homes and streets are adorned with multi-coloured lanterns often known as Fanoos. It’s a custom relationship again to the times of the Fatimid Caliphate when lanterns had been strung as much as welcome Caliph Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah into Cairo for Ramadan. The lanterns right this moment symbolise togetherness and pleasure, illuminating gatherings and festivities all through the month.
Indonesia’s ritual of padusan
Indonesians take Padusan, a symbolic bathtub on the eve of Ramadan. The ritual cleaning signifies the purification of the soul and physique, getting ready people for the holy month. People go to springs, seashores, or public baths to take part within the ritual in congregation, which is reflective of the social side of Ramadan.
READ ALSO: 10 meals to keep away from for a more healthy Ramadan quick
Turkey’s Ramadan drummers
In Turkey, Ramadan Davulcusu, or conventional drummers, parade the streets within the hours earlier than daybreak to get up residents for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Wearing Ottoman apparel, the drummers beat out rhythmic cadences, conserving alive a centuries-old custom that strengthens communal bonds and stirs the trustworthy to their daytime quick. It’s not totally different in Nigeria the place an Adhan wakes muslims up for Suhoor with a loud exclamation of Bismillah ramon niraheem.
Lebanon’s Iftar cannon
Lebanon continues the custom of the Midfa al Iftar, or Iftar cannon, to sign the breaking of the day’s quick. The centuries-old apply, one of many oldest on the earth, entails firing a cannon at sundown, informing communities that the time for Iftar (the breaking-fast meal) has arrived. The booming sound is each a sensible summons and a cherished cultural custom.
Nigeria’s Durbar festivals
In northern Nigeria, the shut of Ramadan is well known with Durbar festivals, grand parades involving horsemen, musicians, and dancers. These vibrant processions honour conventional leaders and the closing of the fasting month, mixing Islamic and native cultural apply in a celebration of neighborhood unity and pleasure.
Morocco’s Chebakia
Moroccans relish Chebakia, a sesame seed-covered cookie within the form of a flower, fried after which honey-dipped. This candy is a Moroccan Iftar desk staple dish, symbolising the sweetness of fasting and reward. The Chebakia preparation and serving act attracts households nearer to one another and strengthens familial and neighborhood ties in the course of the holy month.
Which amongst these traditions have you learnt about? Tell us.
