Many elderly people in Kuwait remember the many and many rituals of the blessed month of Ramadan in the past, some of which lived a part of it and listened to some of its stories from pioneers who witnessed those rituals.

And Ramadan in Kuwait in the past had a special pleasure, some attributed it to the simplicity of life in the past and the proximity of everyone and their knowledge of each other, thanks to the adhesion of the houses and the limited area of ​​residence, as the people of the country lived inside the wall that surrounded the houses to protect them (Kuwait knew 3 walls, the first of which was built in 1760 and the second in 1814. The last one was in 1920 and the last one was demolished in 1957).

"Ramadan is the first money"

In his book "Kuwaiti Charitable Activities in the Past on Seasonal Occasions", the head of the Kuwait Center for Documentation of Humanitarian Action, Dr. Khaled Al-Shatti, lists some of what distinguished "Ramadan is the first money."

He indicates that the people of Kuwait were preparing for its arrival at the beginning of the month of Sha`ban.

Through the preparation of foodstuffs that suffice the whole month, most notably the dates that were brought from Basra, and the rice brought from India, and by the 15th of Shaban, the harees and groats begin to be sounded in a celebration in which women and children stay up until dawn.

The writer states that among the early preparations were the restoration of the bureaus and the carrying of large pots and pots on camels and transporting them from the large house stores to the saffir market for polishing aluminum.

In order to prepare them to cook Iftar banquets that were distributed in markets, offices, the poor and in the homes of the endowment.

"Alkrish" song

Days before the end of the month of Sha`ban, women from some poor families used to roam the streets chanting the chant of "al-Quraysh" (Quraysh), pronouncing the word “kaf”, meaning “al-krish”.

It is the day before the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan, to remind merchants to help them during Ramadan. Among her words:

Yesterday, the sacrifice, the beloved, Marna, the day of Saad, a day that met me

We said, "What about you?" He said, "O longing and Lahan."

The Quraysh is mentioned about you .. I mean for him the guest and the (needy).

Preparing the Iftar meal in the house of a large family and everyone is preparing to eat in order to prepare for Ramadan (KUNA)

Carnival Day "Krish"

Dr. Al-Shatti told Al-Jazeera Net that the 30th of Shaban - called “Al-Quraysh” (Quraysh) day - was witnessing a carnival of giving as the last day of breakfast, as breakfast is prepared in the house of the big family, and everyone comes to eat in order to prepare for Ramadan.

The same day also witnesses cleaning houses, washing utensils, clothes and mats;

Because it was not customary for anyone to go to the sea to wash them during Ramadan.

As evening approaches, cheers and takbeers begin, so that if everyone has finished the sunset prayer, they go out directly outside the mosque to see the crescent and see it.

As all the houses were on one floor and had no lighting, which made it easier to see.

Kuwaiti Ramadan rituals

It is noteworthy that women used to attend Tarawih prayers in the mosques, as a barrier was placed for them to separate them from the men.

As for the diwans, they used to receive their guests after the dawn prayers and even before sunset, while the evening period was devoted to family visits and neighbors.

Kuwait knew the Iftar cannon in the year 1859, and children used to go out to his place by the sea every afternoon, and "Bu Tabila" (Al-Misharati) used to pass through the neighborhoods and near the houses before the dawn call to prayer, repeating, The suhoor is mostly dates and rice with milk.

Days 13, 14 and 15 of Ramadan have been famous since ancient times - until today - with the "Al-Qarqiaan" concert in Kuwait (KUNA)

Children and Girqian

Al-Shatti points out that days 13, 14 and 15 of Ramadan have been famous since ancient times - until today - with the Girqian party, during which children go out and knock on the homes of neighbors who give them Ramadan sweets, including dumplings, loqaimat, and some money.

This ritual comes with the aim of instilling a love for Ramadan in their souls and comforting them, especially as children stop going to schools or to the sea to swim throughout Ramadan, and for this occasion a song repeated by the youngsters of her words:

Karkaian and Karkaian .. A house like Qasir in Ramadan

Fasting again ... every year and every year

Oh God grant their son .. O God, give him to his mother

Hopefully the bakaa is what it borders on (and by bakaa is meant calamity or war here) ... and does not match his mother

May God grant you grant us .. The House of Makkah will guide you

Painting Al-Gergean in Kuwait by artist Ayoub Hussein Al-Ayoub (KUNA)

The "shortcoming" and "superfluous"

In the past, Ramadan was also famous for what is known as the "short", which is a gift that the household dedicates to neighbors, friends and relatives in order to celebrate the month, and it consists of food, incense, perfumes or clothes.

Likewise, it was known in the ancient month of "supererogatory", and it was done on Friday night, which is about sending food to the mosques and to the poor with the intention of rewarding the deceased from the household.

Laylat al-Qadr and Eid preparations

In the past, Kuwait witnessed great interest in reviving Laylat al-Qadr.

The mosques were full of visitors on the night of the 27th of Ramadan, and the benefactors were keen to provide them with dates, pastries and drinks, including tea and coffee.

In recent days, the Eid preparations included buying new clothes for adults and children who wore the "dishdish", while the girls wore the "suffragette". Some rich people used to distribute clothes before the Eid to the poor and orphans. Indeed, some textile merchants used to lower the price when they knew that the clothes were Will be provided to the needy.

According to Al-Shatti, women used to spend the last night of Ramadan preparing food for breakfast, which consisted of rice and meat, unlike usual in the rest of the days.

In the morning, adults and children go out for the Eid prayer that was held in the squares outside the wall, and it was not held in the mosques except when the country was threatened by some of the neighboring tribes in one year, and after the prayer, the people gathered with the sheikhs and the ruler in front of the old Seif Palace.

To offer congratulations and blessings for the advent of the Eid, drink coffee and dates, then go to their diwans.