Page 34 - Ramadan 2022

34 LG RAMADAN 2022

Ramadan Traditions
many countries across the Middle
East including Lebanon, where
cannons were used by the Otto-
mans to mark iftar all over the
country. The tradition was feared
lost in 1983 after an invasion that
led to the confiscation of some
of the cannons – then considered
From Around the World weapons. But it was revived by the
Lebanese Army following the war
and continues even today, evoking
nostalgia among older generations
of Islam and mandatory synthesis of religion and culture of Allah in Mecca’, reverberates who can remember the Ramadans
for all able-bodied in Indonesia. Springs hold deep through the streets as children of their childhood.
Muslims, the spiritual significance in Javanese excitedly collect their bounty.
holy month culture and are an integral part of In the United Arab Emirates, this Roma Muslims perform
is marked purification for the holy month. celebration is considered integral
with shared This practice is believed to have to Emirati national identity. In ballads in Albania
traditions been spread by Wali Songo, a today’s modern society, which is For centuries, the members of
such as fast- group of revered priests who were often said to be more isolated and the Roma Muslim community,
ing, charity the first missionaries to communi- individualistic, this celebration which dates back to the Ottoman
and prayer, as cate Islamic teachings throughout offers a return to simpler times Empire, have been announcing
well as prac- Java. Years ago, it was common and highlights the importance of the start and end of fasting with
tices that vary practice for local elders and reli- strong societal bonds and family traditional songs. Every day for
from culture to gious leaders to pick and assign values. the month of Ramadan, they will
culture, from sacred springs for padusan. Nowa- march up and down the streets
bathing rituals days, many just go to nearby lakes Cannons fire for iftar playing a lodra, a home-made,
in Indonesia to and swimming pools, or purify in Lebanon double-ended cylinder drum
lantern-light- themselves in their own homes. In many countries across the
ing in Egypt. Middle East, cannons are fired covered in sheep or goat skin.
Here, Culture Trip Children sing for sweets daily during the month of Ram- Muslim families will often invite
contributors discuss how in the UAE adan to signal the end of the them inside their homes to play
Ramadan is celebrated in coun- Often compared to the Western day’s fast. This tradition, known traditional ballads to celebrate the
tries around the world. custom of trick-or-treating, the as midfa al iftar, is said to have start of iftar.
AMADAN is tradition of haq al laila takes place begun in Egypt over 200 years ago,
Rmuch more A cleansing ritual marks on the 15th of sha’ban, the month when the country was governed Egyptians light colourful
than a fasting period: it is a holy Ramadan in Indonesia before Ramadan. Shared by many by Ottoman ruler Khosh Qadam. lanterns during Ramadan
month rooted in culture, faith and Across Indonesia, Muslims con- countries across the Gulf, this While testing a new cannon at Every year, the people of Egypt
history. Across the globe, Muslims duct different rituals to ‘cleanse’ day sees children roaming their sunset, Qadam accidentally fired
mark this time with vibrant cele- themselves on the day before neighbourhoods dressed in bright it, and the sound that reverberated welcome Ramadan with colourful
brations that are unique to their Ramadan. Several localities in Cen- clothing, collecting sweets and throughout Cairo prompted many fanous – intricate lanterns that
region and passed on through tral and East Java keep a purifying nuts in tote bags known as kharyta civilians to assume that this was symbolise unity and joy through-
generations. tradition called padusan (meaning – all while singing traditional local a new way to signal the end of the out the holy month. Although this
Celebrated by millions of Mus- ‘to bathe’ in Javanese dialect), in songs. The chant Aatona Allah fast. Many thanked him for his tradition is more cultural than it is
lims across the globe, Ramadan which Javanese Muslims plunge Yutikom, Bait Makkah Yudikum, innovation, and his daughter, Haja religious, it has come to be strong-
is observed every year during the themselves in springs, soaking which translates from Arabic to Fatma, urged him to make this a ly associated with the holy month
ninth month of the Islamic lunar their bodies from head to toe. ‘Give to us and Allah will reward tradition. of Ramadan, taking on a spiritual
calendar. One of the five pillars Padusan is a testament to the you and help you visit the House The practice made its way to significance.
The tales of its origin differ, but
a prominent account dates the
birth of the fanous to one night
during the Fatimid dynasty, when
Egyptians greeted Caliphate Al-
Muizz li-Dīn Allah as he arrived in
Cairo on the first day of Ramadan.
In order to provide an illuminated
entrance for the imam, military
officials ordered locals to hold can-
dles in the dark streets, sheltering
them in wooden frames to prevent
them from blowing out. Over time,
these wooden structures emerged
into patterned lanterns, and are
now displayed across the entire
country, spreading light during the
holy month.
Today, the fanous are often
integrated into other local tradi-
tions. For example, during the holy
month, children walk the streets
with their lanterns, singing merrily
while asking for gifts and sweets.