Rush for Garangao goodies is on

Souqs, shops and malls are gearing up for Garangao, with nuts, sweets and toys outlets witnessing a large turnout of buyers ahead of the festival that falls on the night of March 14 this year.Shop owners at Souq Waqif told *Gulf Times that sales have gone up, with many Qataris and residents taking their children for shopping.Garangao is considered one of the most important Ramadan occasions in Qatar, when children go from door to door, collecting nuts and sweets around their neighbourhood.Clad in traditional clothing, children go around their neighbourhood in small groups with decorated gift bags and collecting treats, singing Garangao songs.Events are organised by public and private entities to preserve the tradition and entertain the children, giving them gifts and encouraging them to fast during the month.The idea is to reward children for their efforts to fast during the first half of Ramadan and encourage them to continue with the same spirit in the second half.At Souq Waqif, according to the sellers, shops become busy in the evening and after *Taraweeh prayers, when customers turn up in big numbers.Shops have special Garangao packages on sale.Baskets decorated with traditional clothing for boys and girls are among the most in demand, as are goodies with messages and greetings on them.The price starts from QR40 and varies according to the size of the kits, which typically consist of 10 types of nuts, clothes, toys and sweets.There are special Garangao kits with the price going up to QR600.Textile shops in Souq Waqif have also started to feel the rush, with many families buying traditional clothes for kids to celebrate the occasion.