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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 6. Ramadan. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [رمضان (ramaḍān)]. |
| Ramadan is a celebration that all Muslims around the world wait for every year. It is also the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar calendar, that’s why the date varies from year to year. During this month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Which is the most used greeting among people during Ramadan in Egypt? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Let’s see now the most important Egyptian customs and traditions during Ramadan. |
| Egyptian Muslims pay attention to increasing their acts of devotion and obedience during Ramadan. It is important to note that there is a special concern for kinship in Egypt. For this reason, Egyptians are keen to have the fast-breaking meal or [إفطار (ʾifṭār)] each day with relatives, neighbors, and friends in an atmosphere of love and affection. Ramadan in Egypt is famous as well for various types of desserts enjoyed by families during this meal, such as [بسبوسة/ كنافة/ قطايف (basbūsah/ kunāfah/ qaṭāyif)]. After the meal is finished, the majority of people perform a long optional prayer in mosques, which is called the "Tarawih Prayer" or [صلاة التراويح (ṣalāt el-tarāwīḥ)]. Although it is a long and difficult prayer, most people enjoy performing it. |
| During Ramadan, it’s as if poor people disappear from Egypt. There are two reasons. |
| The first reason is the "charity banquets" or [موائد الرحمن (maqāʾed el-raḥman)]. The "charity banquets" are free collective dining tables in streets and public squares. Egyptians prepare such tables to be devout to Allah by helping the poor and the people who cannot afford food for themselves. The second reason is the "Ramadan bags", or [شنط رمضان (shonat Ramadan)]. These are bags donated by rich people to poor families, which contain enough food for their families during the whole month of Ramadan. The contents of this bag typically are: rice, sugar, oil, lentils, beans, and some beef or chicken. |
| There are novel occupations that appear only during Ramadan, such as the "Ramadan drummer", or [مسحراتي (msaḥḥarātī)]. He is a person who calls the people of the neighborhood to wake them up two hours before sunrise in order to have the pre-dawn meal before the time of fasting starts. Traditionally, he calls the names of children in the neighborhood one by one. Though children don’t fast, they usually join their parents for the meals, before and after the fast. This is why they are keen to provide the Ramadan drummer with their names. |
| There are beautiful songs that are specific to Ramadan that you will hear only during Ramadan. If you turn on the TV or the radio, you will very quickly hear songs such as "Ramadan Gana," even before the month begins. Children become happy when they listen to these songs and they sing them while playing with Ramadan lanterns. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| Which is the most used greeting among people during Ramadan in Egypt? |
| The most predominant greeting among people during Ramadan is [رمضان كريم (ramaḍān karīm)], which literally means "generous Ramadan." |
| As we already explained, works of charity increase during Ramadan, and that's why Ramadan is seen as a month of giving and generosity and why people use a different greeting. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you celebrate Ramadan? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء (ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)! |
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