AN alternative gergaoun event, organised to keep the tradition alive during the pandemic, proved so popular it will continue during this year’s Ramadan, starting tomorrow.
The ‘at your distance’ Happiness Bus roadshow, introduced following an inspired idea by the Youth Affairs Ministry in 2020 when families were mostly confined to home, will be spreading joy across the island.
“This year, the bus will tour Bahrain for two days – the Northern and Southern governorates on Wednesday, April 5, and the Capital and Muharraq governorates route on Thursday, April 6,” a spokesman for the organisers said.
“Families always look forward to the bus roaming through towns, villages and cities and bringing joy and happiness.
“The idea of the event is summed up as an ‘open-top bus tour’ that will visit the kingdom’s governorates and residential areas, boarded by young volunteers distributing gergaoun gifts to the children of Bahrain.”
Gergaoun is traditionally celebrated around the 13th, 14th or 15th of the Islamic calendar month of Ramadan to mark the holy month’s midway point.
Post pandemic, it’s also likely to be business as usual with little ones adorning traditional attire, knocking on doors and receiving sweet treats from neighbours and friends, as older children and some adults dress up as ‘Fraysa’ or the ‘horseman’ and sing folk songs while beating traditional drums.
The ministry has teamed up with GCC toy and gift app Dabdoub to give back to the community with boxes consisting of a combination of toys and treats. As the volunteers distribute the boxes they will also aim to offer goodwill to all those they come across during the journey.
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