As Ramadan reaches the end of its first half, a number of organisations and corporations across the country have celebrated Garangao - a traditional fixture in the Holy Month.
Garangao, which is sometimes called Gir-ga-oon, is celebrated mid-Ramadan and is believed to have its roots in the pearl-diving tradition of the region.
The origin of the word Garangao comes from the Gulf word Gara, which is the sound of things knocking together, such as the sound nuts and sweets make as a child carries them in a bag.
Over the years, the festival has gained more popularity with several expatriates joining the celebrations.
On Sunday, the Community Policing Section of Capital Security Department hosted a celebration at the headquarters of Qatar Foundation for Elderly People Care (Ihsan).
A large number of elderly people and their relatives, as well as several children, attended the colourful event.
Community Policing Section head Lt Col Ghanem Saad al-Khayareen said the department was keen to participate in the Garangao night celebration in order to convey the customs and traditions of the community and nurture love of the homeland in the new generation.
The event was also an opportunity for communication between the police and the community, he added.
Ihsan director-general Mubarak Abdul Azeez al-Khaleefa expressed happiness at the large turnout and thanked the Ministry of Interior for its continued co-operation with the foundation.
Highlights of the celebration included a traditional exhibition, songs and documentary films as well as traditional meals. There were also proverb contests for the elderly and children.
The Community Policing Section distributed gifts to children, the elderly and other attendees at the event.
International Bank of Qatar (ibq) also sponsored a number of festivities for children in the paediatric wards of both Hamad General Hospital and Al Rumailah Hospital as part of its Garangao celebrations. The celebrations fostered an atmosphere of fun and joy in line with the bank’s annual “Do Good Deeds” campaign during Ramadan.
The children were entertained with games, handcraft activities, face painting, music and a balloon twisting show by a clown.
The children also danced with famous local cartoon characters such as Umm Khammas and Umm Allawi, as well as Mickey Mouse and Barney, who also distributed gifts that lived up to the traditions of Garangao in the country.
ibq managing director Jabra Ghandour said: “The month of Ramadan brings about feelings of affinity and solidarity towards each other. This is exactly what we try to strengthen through ibq-sponsored activities and initiatives that put a smile on the faces of the children. We’re happy to have made these children happy in a celebration that means a lot to them and which they look forward to year on year.”
Meanwhile, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) celebrated Garangao by giving out treats to children at its 21 health centres across the country.
Many children stopped by PHCC health centres on the occasion of the family-oriented festivity and went home with healthy treats.
During the celebrations on Monday, the Al Khor Health Centre received approximately 75 children between 8pm and midnight, according to head nurse Hussain Nimer Alaqra.
“We contacted schools in the area and received many children who came with their parents. We are very happy to be in constant touch with the community, especially reaching out to children in this case,” he said.
With this and other similar activities, PHCC aims to involve the community through health promotion.
Achieving community participation is one of the eight key principles established in the National Primary Health Strategy 2013-2018.