Children and their families in Qatar will celebrate Garangao Wednesday night.
Garangao is marked across Qatar in a distinct atmosphere, combining the revival of popular heritage, joy and fun, enhancing communication, spreading the spirit of affection, familiarity and love in society, and encouraging children to know the customs of their society.
In a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), popular researcher Khalifa al-Sayed al-Maliki explained that Garangao, a traditional event celebrated every year on the night of the middle of the blessed month of Ramadan, is a reminder to the new generation of what parents and family were like in the past.
It is a tradition aimed at encouraging children to continue fasting until the end of the holy month, and to reward them for having fasted half of the month.
Falling on the 14th evening of Ramadan, the event sees children in traditional Qatari clothes, chanting a special Garangao song while walking around their neighbourhoods collecting candy, nuts and chocolates from the neighbours.
Their attires are custom-made and come with pouches for them to store their goodies.
Garangao bags are prepared for this occasion, where children will have an opportunity to decorate and customise their Garangao bags before going to collect their goodies.
Unique to Qatar and the wider Gulf region, the celebration of Garangao is one of Ramadan's most beloved traditions for young children.
Each Gulf country has a slightly different name for the festival; in Saudi Arabia it is 'Karkee'aan', in Kuwait it is 'Gargee'aan', in Oman it is 'Garangashoch'.
