Children from the Najd region of Saudi Arabia are preparing to celebrate the tradition of Al-Hawwamah, where they walk from door to door wearing new clothes.
The ritual takes place before or during Eid Al-Fitr, depending on family heritage, and is a popular custom in many parts of the Riyadh region. Children donned in their best garments stroll around their neighborhood chanting a traditional tune.
Prior to the celebration, families prepare by shopping for groceries, decorations, and festive clothes. Young boys wear the traditional thobe, and girls a black head covering embellished in gold design
Families also prepare Eid gifts for visitors, such as candy, chickpeas, sugared almonds, and sometimes money.
Gifting money is usually distributed among relatives to younger children to save or spend on more Eid goodies.
Tarfah Abdullah Alhmoudi, celebrated the tradition in her childhood, 60 years ago.
" Al-Hawwamah is one of the ancient inherited customs and traditions celebrated on the day of Eid. Children of the neighborhood gather with each other on the day of Eid, and they are overwhelmed with joy."
Fatimah Alodhaib, Teacher
She said: “My favorite part of Al-Hawwamah was wearing brand new clothes, and we would go around the entire neighborhood chanting the song, ‘I want my fruitful Eid gift, may you have many happy returns of this day, and may you always be healthy and wealthy, may poverty not break your legs or arms.’”
But she noted that modern-day celebrations were very different.
“I preferred the tradition back then. The difference now is that everything comes all ready and packed up, whereas then it was not like that. We were happy with the old distributions that they gave us, like candied almonds, fudge, and chickpeas. We didn’t have sweets or chocolate like they do today.
"With everything we were given, we were so happy. The goodies would last with us for two weeks too.
“The celebration used to start in the top of the morning where kids would knock on neighbors’ doors,” she added.
However, children still rejoice with happy tunes and smiles that brighten the streets and create a modern version of a classic celebration.
Teacher, Fatimah Alodhaib, said: “Al-Hawwamah is one of the ancient inherited customs and traditions celebrated on the day of Eid. Children of the neighborhood gather with each other on the day of Eid, and they are overwhelmed with joy.
“They go to take sweets or money by knocking on the door of the neighbors. They consider it their treasure, because in the past, children didn’t always get those sweets. Children have joy in their eyes and the beautiful day stays in their memory.”
Huda Alodhaib said the favorite part of Al-Hawwamah for kids was the variety of sweets they received from neighbors.
“Al-Hawwamah is a collective joy for the children. Some people decorate their houses the night before Eid and prepare sweets and balloons for the children to go out among the neighbors’ houses.”
Alodhaib noted that in her neighborhood those children not wearing traditional clothes instead wore something beautiful or new. And locals could keep up to date on community news through an Instagram account filled with photos and videos of Eid festivities.
Residents flock to barbershop to get ready for Eid across KSA
Turkish barber Sherwan Ahmed is busy as Eid Al-Fitr approaches, his shop abuzz with customers waiting to be groomed for the annual festival
“We have 30 customers a day normally; for Eid Al-Fitr we get 70 customers or more. We stay open all night before Eid and take a well-deserved break on Eid,” said the 32-year-old Ahmed, who works at Capio saloon in Jeddah.
It is the season for barbers in the Kingdom, with most saloons witnessing a 150 percent increase in customers.
Ahmed said Eid Al-Fitr is the peak season for them and most customers want to get a haircut and groom themselves to look neater. “Many people come to the shop two days before Eid, and this continues until the middle of the first day of Eid. We don’t get the chance to go home at night, we stay up to serve customers 24 hours,” Sherwan said.
His colleague, Osman Hadji, said: “Booking for the last two days of Ramadan already completed a week ago. We are not accepting customers without a booking.”
Prices for haircuts and hairstyling surges during the last three days of Ramadan, especially the night before Eid. Barbershops at this time of the year employ additional workers to accommodate the demand and are open for long hours.
Ibrahim Al-Maghrabi, a barber working at Al-Mazioun shop in Al-Zahra district, said: “It is obvious prices will go up because it is a season for us and everyone in the family wants to look good and they will pay anything for that.
“Sometimes customers pay way more from their own generosity, we raise our charges little bit during the Eid rush. If our customers are happy, we’re happy too,” he added.
Fahad Al-Zahrani, 29, told Arab News going to the barbershop before Eid has been a significant part of preparations for the celebrations because Eid is the right time for many to look good. “It is as important as buying new clothes, shoes and other things. Normally, I pay around SR35 ($9.33) for a haircut, but these days they charge me around SR55. This is good chance for them to earn more, especially as they are devoting their day and nights to meet such a big demand,” Al-Zahrani said.
Jordanian national Abdul Wahab Bin Naser said it is part of his Eid ritual to visit the barbershop. “My friends and I go to the barber as late as possible in the night. We get a service number because of the long queue and go to a nearby shop to wait for our turn.
“Queues are endless but the wait is definitely worth it once you see yourself looking sharp and ready for Eid celebration.”
His friend, Hamza Al-Salahi, said: “I do not go to the barber throughout Ramadan due to time constraints, and like many people I also do not care about how I look during Ramadan but when it comes to Eid we have to look our best.”
Asked about prices, Al-Salahi responded: “Definitely prices went up and I feel barbers try to take advantage of this demand but customers will pay anything to look good on Eid.”
Saudi national Bader Al-Harithi said a normal visit to barbershops costs him SR90 for all sorts of beauty treatments, but during Eid it rises up to SR200 for the same services. “I normally do not mind paying them extra since they are doing a perfect job.”
No comments:
Post a Comment