Garangao joy for shops at Souq Waqif

As Qatar gears up to celebrate Garangao, souqs have witnessed hectic activity as people turn up in large numbers to buy goodies and other items for the occasion.
Souq Waqif has been among the places where shops are doing brisk business selling various kinds of products for Garangao, a traditional celebration that coincides with the 14th night of Ramadan.
Garangao is considered one of the most important Ramadan occasions in Qatar, when children knock on doors and collect nuts and sweets around their neighbourhood. Various public and private entities also organise big Garangao celebrations.
The idea is to reward children for their efforts while fasting during the first half of Ramadan and encourage them to continue with the same spirit in the second half. Wearing traditional clothes, children go around in their neighbourhood with decorated gift bags while singing special songs.
A visit to Souq Waqif showed that sweets, nuts, chocolates, gifts, clothes and toys were selling in big quantities, with shops remaining busy from the evening.
“Garangao brings us a fortune every year and we stay active selling everything that is needed to meet the requirements of the Garangao celebrations,” said Khaleel Hashim, one of the merchants at Souq Waqif. His shop sells toffies, Garangao special sweets and nuts.
"This occasion brings joy not only to children but also to shops like ours. And people like coming to the Souq because they get a variety of products at good rates, all under one roof," said another shopkeeper.
Garangao kits are available for various prices at Souq Waqif and many families opt to buy these for their children. For instance, the price for a 5kg kit is QR65 while a 10kg kit is sold for QR130. With some additional sweets and toys, the price of special Garangao kits go up QR600. These kits have toys that play special Garangao songs and are carried by children as they go around in their neighbourhood.
Some Qataris, according to shop owners, place preorders for clothes for their children ahead of Ramadan.