Ghardaïa (Berber: ⵜⴰⵖⵔⴷⴰⵢⵜ TaɣErdayt; Arabic: غرداية) is the main district in the wilaya of Ghardaïa in Algeria, located 600 km south of Algiers, it is the capital of the Mzab valley.
Faithful to ancestral values and traditions, the families of the M’zab do not fail during the holy month of Ramadan to celebrate the first fast of their child. The month of Ramadan is characterized by the M’zab Valley with customs and traditions that are characterized by authenticity and a spirit of solidarity that give it a special atmosphere. Among these customs and traditions :
- Realization of a public cleaning campaign in all the Ksours of the M’zab, the night of doubt, in anticipation of the holy month.
- When the observation of the Ramadan crescent is confirmed, young children help spread the news by walking around the alleys of the city, chanting in Mozabite: “Your iEbad, Alacha D’madan” which means“ “The moon has risen on us, tomorrow Ramadan” and making distinctive sounds by moving metal boxes containing small pebbles.
- Preparation of new white clothes for children who are fasting Ramadan for the first time in order to wear them when they go to the mosque to perform prayers and perform Tarawih prayers.
- Establishment of the custom of “Takdourt”, where the relatives of the adult who fasts for the first time, bring thirty coins for the number of days of Ramadan.
This local delicacy, essential for the memorization of Ramadan
Takdourt is a local delicacy, essential for the memorization of the initiation event to the fourth pillar of Islam, is prepared mainly on the basis of lightly toasted semolina, date variety.
- Offer tazmit, ziriza and semolina dishes as gifts and encouragement to new young people of puberty age.
- Setting up tea parties in honor of children who are fasting for the first time.
- For the newlywed, with the advent of the first Ramadan after the wedding, her parents send a Zeriza dish to the husband’s family to strengthen family ties.
The Baghrir, a delight of Algerian cuisine
- Prepare a special dish for the Sehour which it is called Temliant (Baghrir) on the 9th evening, that is, on the night of the tenth day of Ramadan.
- The dwelling of Asgoger, where one of the women of the neighborhood prepares lunch for the neighbors’ children on behalf of their mothers to avoid being busy for one or two children, and perhaps it is by making exchanges between them in order to achieve the principle of cooperation between the women of the neighborhood.
- Offering bread prepared at home with the children to the mosque in the afternoon to separate it at the time of breaking the fast.
To learn more about the traditions of Ghardaia during the holy month of Ramadan, we encourage you to watch this interesting documentary made by Al Jazeera Documentary, add english subtitles :
https://youtu.be/X–brQeaebM
Translated by hope from : https://topdestinationsalgerie.com/connaissez-vous-les-10-traditions-de-ghardaia-durant-le-ramadan/
