In Ramadan, there are standard rules that are executed anywhere around the world. The most prominent rule is that Muslims abstain from eating starting just before dawn until sunset and the nightly prayers, known as “Taraweeh”. Apart from those two essential factors, the forms of celebration during the holy month differ from one country to another. Let’s take a look at some of these festive traditions.
Indonesia
In several areas in the Indonesian provinces of Central and East Java, Muslims conduct a ritual, called the “Padusan”, which means “to bathe” in Javanese dialect. During this ceremony, they plunge themselves in sacred springs, soaking their bodies from head to toe. The ritual of “Padusan” is a combination between religion and culture in Indonesia as the springs hold a “spiritual significance” for the people and play a vital role in the cleansing of the soul for Ramadan. In the past, the actual springs were selected by the local elders and religious leaders, but now nearby lakes, swimming pools, or even inhabitants’ own homes are equally acceptable.
Pakistan
“Chaand Raat” festivities start on the last day of Ramadan when throngs of Pakistani women make their way to the local bazaars and henna shops to buy colorful bangles and to paint their hands and feet with intricate henna designs respectively. In addition, shopkeepers decorate their booths and stay open until the early morning. The joyful “Chaand Raat” festivities are held in anticipation for the first day of Eid.
South Africa
The end of Ramadan is marked with the sighting of the first crescent of the moon. In South Africa, the actual sighting is performed a bit differently than other countries. The “Maan Kykers” or the “Moon Watchers”, head to Cape Town and stand along the shore at the Sea Point Promenade at Three Anchor Bay or atop Signal Hill to spot the moon via the naked eye.
Turkey
“Suhoor” is the last meal that Muslims eat before the sun sets and a new day of Ramadan begins. Each year during “Suhoor” time, 2000 drummers, dressed in conventional Ottoman costumes, spread throughout the streets of Turkey and play their double-headed drums or “Davul” in Turkish to wake the residents. The drummers are usually given tips twice during the holy month by the citizens. Recently, “Turkish officials 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”.
Albania
According to Culture Trip, 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 for centuries. 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.