A colourful mid-Ramadan festival was dulled by heavy rain and regional conflict, but many families still threw joyous celebrations for the past two nights amidst these conditions.
Gergaoun festivities, which usually involve children going door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to sing songs and collect goodies, were held indoors this year.
Streets and alleyways that hustle and bustle with children dressed in traditional attire and adults distributing delicious confections were now deserted, as most of the country sheltered at home.
The long-standing tradition, which has been observed for at least 700 years in Bahrain and nearby nations, marks the birth of Prophet Mohammed’s first grandson, Hassan ibn Ali.
Grandma Sabeecha with her grandson Mohamed Ashoor
Seasonal cheer still found its way into a party where an 80-year-old Bahraini, her five children, 19 grandchildren and one great grandchild gathered.
Last year, the GDN covered the family’s celebration in Sabeecha Hirz’s house located in Fireej Al Aamer, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Isa Town, and surrounding homes.
As Fireej Al Aamer lay empty, they instead held a small, cozy and understated get-together in Hamad Town. The family blamed the cancellation of the outdoor event less on the missiles and more on the rain.
Although the singing and dancing was interrupted by air-raid sirens, spirits were high and the family remained jolly throughout the rainy evening.
Gergaoun goodies were distributed to the children in the same traditional manner, albeit without knocking on any doors.
“We’re forced to stay home, which is boring,” Ms Hirz – or Grandma Sabeecha – candidly told the GDN. “Gergaoun is for a time for going outside to chit-chat and joke with friends, who love us and we love them.
“Everyone brings their own plate, bowl or basket with things to distribute to neighbours. We sit together until it’s time to eat suhoor. But now it’s chilly and scary. Still, rain is a gift from God.”
Grandma Sabeecha giving out traditional Gergaoun peanuts, sweets and dried peas
Her daughter, who goes by Um Salman, was in charge of the arrangements, décor, presents and activities. She owns a business, named Hadeeia Events, specialised in organising such functions.
“Gergaoun is a party held in every Bahraini house, and it doesn’t need to be flashy or extravagant. These are our traditions, after all,” she said. “Since the state didn’t forbid gatherings, we will commemorate this tradition regardless of the situation outside.”
She told the GDN that the conflict remains bad for business, as many customers cancelled events due to fear and uncertainty, especially those living near Manama and Muharraq Island.
Boys of the Al Eid family, from left, Faisal, Jamal, Jabr and Mohamed
Her sister Khulood Al Shawoosh said that the rain was a worse disruption than the missiles, drones and interceptions. “We tried to celebrate as usual, although in a simpler way.”
The calling off of events reminded her of the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.
Councilor Al Meghawi, centre, giving gifts to passing cars
Grandma Sabeecha’s other children, Waleed and Nawal, were also there with their own children. Um Salman’s 12-year-old daughter, Aysha Hamad, missed the neighbourhood walks, and wished that the circumstances were normal.
Another household took the creative route of recreating the door-to-door experience, but indoors. About 13 children from five related families turned their Busaiteen home into a mini-neighbourhood for the little ones to roam around in.
“We gathered in my late grandpa’s house – Mohamed Al Eid – and everyone brought their own goodies,” Shaikha Jamal told the GDN. “Every part of the family had its own corner in the house, and the children would go from corner to corner to collect sweets and presents in their bags, replicating the Gergaoun experience.
“The kids are aware of the current situation, but feel happy and safe inside the house. They sang and banged on their little drums.”
Meanwhile, Muharraq Governorate municipal councillor Ahmed Al Meghawi distributed 2,500 goodie bags to youngsters, out of his Arad house.
Children, however, received the presents from their parents’ cars, in a makeshift drive-thru distribution centre.
Young Aysha with a sign that reads ‘Ramadan brings us together’
Videos of an freysa – a person in a wooden horse costume – dancing animatedly near Mr Al Meghawi, quickly spread online.
“We all came together, pitched in and assembled the goodie bags,” the councillor told the GDN. “They included sweets, toys and even little drums,” he said.
“Since kids had new clothes for Gergaoun, it would be too bad if they missed the occasion. I wanted to cheer them up and maintain the custom.”
According to historian Fuad AlShakar, the moonlit celebration was described in the chronicles of the prolific 14th century Arab traveller Ibn Battuta, who witnessed it on his journey to Medina. The tradition is said to have begun when Prophet Mohammed’s daughter Fatima handed out coloured sugar cubes in pure joy at the birth of her first son, Hasan.
Scheduled Gergaoun events around the country were cancelled, including one that was to be organised along the Pearling Path, as well as the iconic Happiness Bus. Some communities and villages also announced ahead of time that the events would be called off due to the rain and conflict.
Last night, the streets of Saar, which normally come to life with thousands of revelers every Gergaoun and Nasfa, were empty.
People from Saar stated that they were jarred by the extraordinary silence - which was unusual since area residents annually compete with one another over who has the most remarkable setup.
Nevertheless, upbeat hymns about the sacred birthday could still be heard from mosque and matam speakers around the area.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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