Beautiful Ramadan Traditions from Around the World

Heading to the most scenic parts of the Cape Town – South Africa’s so-called Mother City – the maan kykers search for the new moon. Standing along the shore at the Sea Point Promenade, at Three Anchor Bay or even atop Signal Hill, it’s up to them to inform the Muslim community that Eid-ul-Fitr is upon them. The moon must be spotted by the naked eye, and on a crystal clear night in Cape Town, there’s no lovelier sight!

Turkey
Ever since the days of the Ottoman Empire, those fasting during Ramadan have woken up to the sound of a drum beating early in the morning for suhoor. Despite the passage of time (and particularly the invention of alarm clocks), more than 2000 drummers still roam the streets of Turkey, uniting the local community during the holy month.

Drummers are adorned in the conventional Ottoman costume, including a fez and vest that are both decorated with traditional motifs. As they go around with their davul (Turkish double-headed drum), the Ramadan drummers rely on the generosity of residents to give them tips (bahşiş) or even invite them in to share their suhoor meal. This bahşiş is usually collected twice in the holy month, with many givers believing they will receive good luck in return for their kindness.

Recently, Turkish officials have introduced a membership card for drummers in order to instill a sense of pride in those who play, and to encourage a younger generation to keep this age-old tradition alive in a growing metropolis.

Egypt
Every year, the people of Egypt welcome Ramadan with colourful fanous – intricate lanterns that symbolise unity and joy throughout the holy month. Although this tradition is more cultural than it is religious, it has come to be strongly associated with the holy month of Ramadan, taking on a spiritual significance.

The tales of its origin differ, but a prominent account dates the birth of the fanous to one night during the Fatimid dynasty, when Egyptians greeted Caliphate Al-Muʿizz li-Dīn Allah as he arrived in Cairo on the first day of Ramadan. In order to provide an illuminated entrance for the imam, military officials ordered locals to hold candles in the dark streets, sheltering them in wooden frames to prevent them from blowing out. Over time, these wooden structures emerged into patterned lanterns, and are now displayed across the entire country, spreading light during the holy month.

Today, the fanous are often integrated into other local traditions. For example, during the holy month, children walk the streets with their lanterns, singing in merriment while asking for gifts and sweets.

Iraq
In the early hours of the night, after breaking fast, generations of people across Iraq come together for a traditional game of mheibes. Predominantly played by men during Ramadan, this game involves two groups of about 40 to 250 players, who all take turns to conceal a mihbes, or ring. A game of deception, mheibes begins with the team leader holding the ring, his hands draped in a blanket. The other members must sit with their fists tight in their lap, as the leader passes the ring to one of the other players in secret. In a tense exchange, their opponents must determine which of the dozens of men conceal the ring through body language alone.

Though the exact origins of the game are unknown, it has profound cultural and historical value. Decades ago, the Iraqi government would organise community-wide games, hosting hundreds of participants and bringing together locals from across the country. Although this state-sponsored practice was halted during the war and feared lost, mheibes has made a return in recent years, as individual community members continue to pass forward the tradition.

India
The seheriwalas or zohridaars of Delhi are part of a Muslim tradition that has survived the test of time and represent the city’s old Mughal culture and heritage. During the holy month of Ramadan, the seheriwalas walk the streets of the city in the small hours of the morning, chanting out the name of Allah and the Prophet, to serve as a wake-up call to Muslims for suhoor. This centuries-old practice is still carried out in parts of Old Delhi, particularly in those neighbourhoods with a high Muslim population.

They start their rounds as early as 2.30 am and often carry sticks or canes to knock on the doors and walls of houses. For most seheriwalas, the tradition has been passed down across generations in the family. Although their numbers are dwindling, the practice is still prevalent in Old Delhi.

Albania
For centuries, the members of the Roma Muslim community, which dates back to the Ottoman empire, have been announcing the start and end of fasting with traditional songs. Every day for the month of Ramadan, they will march up and down the streets playing a lodra, a homemade double-ended cylinder drum covered in sheep or goat skin. Muslim families will often invite them inside their homes to play traditional ballads to celebrate the start of iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast.