For the last three nights, the people of Isa Town have been bidding farewell to Ramadan by taking to the streets, singing their hearts out to mark the end of the holy month.
People from all over Bahrain, and even outside the country, have come to participate in and witness the ‘Weda’a’ parade in the ‘City of the Greats’, as Isa Town is sometimes called.
The ‘Weda’a’ or ‘goodbye’ procession commemorates the end of Ramadan with all its rituals, prayers, gatherings and heavenly blessings, and is usually also held in Muharraq and Riffa.
It is both a sombre and joyful occasion, tinged with sadness for having to let go of the holy month but excitement and anticipation for Eid Al Fitr.
“Peace be upon you and godspeed, o month of fasting” was the main chorus, with verses praising the Prophet, his holy family and his venerated companions. Other traditional lyrics included ‘goodbye dear Ramadan, the month of pumpkins and aubergines’.
A traditional band of drummers, along with a number of locals serenaded the crowds lining the Baghdad Avenue, one of the main streets of Isa Town.
At the head of the procession was a pick-up truck carrying a large speaker and light-up decorations, leading the congregation.
The GDN spoke to one of the singers, Abdulla Idrees, whose family has carried this tradition for generations. With him was his six-year-old son Mohamed, who is picking up the craft from this young age.
“We have watched, observed and learned everything from our grandparents,” the 40-year-old said, whose family originally hailed from Muharraq before settling in to Isa Town. “When I was young, my uncle Waheed was the one in charge, and now I carry it forward. We have inherited his unbroken tradition, and it goes to our descendants, who have to pass it on and keep hold of it.”
He explained that organising the Weda’a begins with obtaining a licence from the Interior Ministry to hold the procession, then bringing together the ‘kit’, or the collection of traditional drums to be played.
His son, little Mohamed, told the GDN that he enjoys attending the event with his dad. The second grader said he looks forward to joining the drummers when he grows up.
Meanwhile, some attendees came all the way from Saudi Arabia to witness the Weda’a. “It’s exceptional,” Jabr Al Jabr from Saudi Arabia said.“Isa Town has long been famous for this occasion, and it’s worth going out of our way to come to the event.”
A group of friends from all over Bahrain were also present. Saeed Saleh, from Hidd, chose to make the trip to Isa Town to bid the month farewell.
“The reason behind this event is our emotional attachment to Ramadan, and how dear we hold this month,” he said.
It was his friend Nasser Alhussaini’s first time at a Weda’a. “We cherish these types of events because they strengthen the community bonds and to keep the tradition going,” the young banker told the GDN.
The Weda’a celebrations ended last night, giving way to Eid today.
The GDN reported in 2023 Weda’a celebrations in Salman City, which were being held in the new residential area for the very first time.
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