Garangao Festivities Light Up Qatar with Colorful Celebrations for Children
On Friday, hundreds of children across the country gathered to celebrate Garangao, marking the halfway point of Ramadan.
Garangao, a beloved tradition, is celebrated annually on the 15th night of Ramadan. It serves as both a celebration and a way to encourage children to continue their fasting journey, rewarding them for their commitment to the holy month.
The Celebrations Committee of the Private Engineering Office (PEO) hosted a vibrant Garangao Night at Souq Waqif’s eastern courtyard. Over 20 government entities and institutions joined in, along with the Souq Waqif management and staff from the Embassy of Kuwait.
Thousands of families and children gathered, dressed in traditional attire, joyfully chanting heritage songs to celebrate and honor Qatar’s rich cultural traditions.
The participating organizations distributed Garangao bags filled with nuts and sweets to children and their families.
“Every year, Souq Waqif is committed to hosting such events to preserve and celebrate Qatari cultural heritage. This year, the exceptional diversity of participating entities and the remarkable turnout from children and families exceeded our expectations,” said Mohammed Al Salem, Souq Waqif’s Director, in an interview with Qatar News Agency.
“Over 30,000 gifts were distributed to children during the celebration as a token of appreciation for their fasting during Ramadan, and as an encouragement to continue their fast for the remainder of the holy month,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Village Foundation — Katara — marked Garangao Night at Katara’s Corniche and open-air theatre, where a large crowd of both children and adults participated in the festivities. Traditional Garangao bags filled with nuts and sweets were handed out, highlighting Qatar’s authentic customs.
Elsewhere, Qatar’s Ministry of Culture celebrated the occasion at the ‘Al Razji’ event at the Darb Al Saai venue in Umm Salal.
“Garangao Night celebrations at Darb Al Saai, held as part of the ‘Al-Razji’ event, emphasize the Ministry’s dedication to preserving Qatari heritage, helping to strengthen social bonds,” said Ahmed Ali Al Yafei, Director of Public Relations and Communication at the Ministry of Culture.
“The ‘Al-Razji’ event and its various activities have drawn visitors of all ages, transforming Darb Al Saai into a cultural hub. With events catering to every age group, it has provided families with a rich and immersive experience,” he added.
The ‘Al-Razji’ competition, hosted daily at the Flag Plaza by media personality Iman Al Kaabi, gained significant momentum on Garangao Night. The competition’s themes included traditional attire, customs surrounding Garangao, and documenting societal traditions observed during the festivities.
The Qatar Photography Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, set up a photography studio equipped to capture visitors’ Garangao Night celebrations, within its pavilion at the ‘Al-Razji’ event at Darb Al Saai.
The ‘Al-Razji’ event, which runs until Saturday, offers a wide range of cultural activities reflecting the spirit of Ramadan. These include exhibits at Al Rumaila, Al Bidaa, the Children’s Plaza, Garangao Night, as well as numerous interactive programs and workshops.