Scores of children sparkled in their traditional attire at Qal’at Bu Maher yesterday on Arafat Day as they sang folksy hymns and threw baskets of plants into the sea as part of an age-old ritual that teaches nurturing and patience, as recently highlighted in the GDN.
The Hiya Biya event at the Muharraq Fort was organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and featured several families and friends enjoying the annual custom together.
Coasts across the island, including at Malkiya Beach, also boasted young and old partaking in the ancient practice.
More families will be joining the fun today and tomorrow at other popular spots including Karbabad, Tubli, Arad Fort, Barbar, Nurana and Busaiteen.
Dentist Wael Almahdi, 40, will be taking his daughters Layal, seven, and May, five, to Abu Sobh Beach in Duraz today, along with their cousins, to mark the occasion.
“When my siblings and I were children, we used to live in the US so it was kind of different there,” said the father-of-two from Saar. “We would go do our own Hiya Biya at the nearest lakes. When we came back to Bahrain, we started to follow the local custom and go to our grandparents’ home in Muharraq.
“The sea was really close to their house and we would go along with the rest of the children from the neighbourhood to throw the Hiya Biya into the sea. Now, I’m doing this with my daughters and their cousins.
“After we have lunch and tea today with the entire family, and when it starts getting less hot out there, that’s when we will all go to the beach to toss the Hiya Biya as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.”
May is excited to put on her traditional clothing and take part whereas Layal just loves the family togetherness.
“Last year, I was a bit scared when I was going to throw my Hiya Biya ... I think it was because I was scared of going into the water,” said Layal.
“But I faced my fear and threw the basket and watched it float away. Afterwards we all go for an ice-cream!”
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