Garangao Festival: Children’s Favourite Ramadan Tradition Celebrated In West Asia
After completing almost half of the month of Ramadan, children dressed in colourful traditional attire can be seen brimming with energy, carrying decorated bags, and walking across the streets after the sunset prayer, singing the famous Garangao song in West Asian countries.
“Garangao Girga oh, Atoona Allah yateekum, Bayt Mecca ya wadeekum, Ya Mecca Yal mamoora, Yam il salasil wal thahab ya noora, Atoona min maal Allah, Yeslam lakom Abdullah,” the children chant while collecting their goodies.
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The song can be loosely translated as follows:
“Garangao Girga oh, give us [sweets], may God give you more and send you to the House in Mecca. Oh Noor, with the gold necklace, give us from the blessings of God. May He bless [your child] Abdullah.”
As Ramadan enters its final weeks, children across the GCC countries take to the streets in celebration. For them, Garangao is a reward for their efforts in fasting for half the month and serves as encouragement to continue fasting in the remaining days of Ramadan.
Adults also take part in the festivities, gathering at home and eagerly waiting for the youngsters to arrive so they can fill their sacks with sweets and nuts. As part of the tradition, families also visit each other to exchange greetings and dishes. The celebration is also an opportunity to thank Al Mosaher, an individual dedicated to waking people up for suhoor meals throughout Ramadan.
The word “Garangao” originates from the word “Gara,” which describes the sound made when two objects knock together.
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However, the festival is known by different names across West Asian countries. While it is called Garangao or Garangaou in Qatar and Bahrain, it is known as Karakee’aan or Qariqaan in Saudi Arabia. In Kuwait, it is referred to as Gargee’an, in Iraq as Al-Majeena Karkiaa, and in Oman as Garangashoch, At-Tablah, or Qarnakosh. In the UAE, the tradition is known as Hag Al Leylah.
In the past, children in Qatar used to receive dates, rice, and wheat—ingredients traditionally used to prepare the Qatari dish Harees.
