Ramadan in Raimah: Life with everlasting bliss [Archives:2006/988/Reportage]
Saleh Al-Ba'dani
Ramadan preparations in Raimah governorate begin two days before the month-long holiday actually begins, as residents start painting mosques and some parts of their houses, as well as clean their homes, roads and entrances to residences and villages.
Raimah is different from other governorates because it doesn't have a large city. Also, souks (markets) and a collection of stores outside villages are scattered here and there. Every tribe has a centrally located main souk in its area so villagers can reach it easily.
Locals go to these souks in the morning on specific days of the week and return in the afternoon. But the situation is different during Ramadan, as citizens go to the souk either at dawn or in the afternoon, buy their items in less than two or three hours and then return home to relax.
During Ramadan, Raimah women often go out at dawn with their staff to bring grass for their cows, sheep, goats and other animals, followed by preparing food in the afternoon. At night, they sit with family members or women in their villages.
Children spend much of the daytime with their fathers shopping and reciting the Qur'an. At night, children gather in one place, e.g., in a nearby field, and play various traditional games like hide and seek, mock weddings, etc.
Men are accustomed to shopping, reciting the Qur'an and inviting friends and relatives during the day. After dinner, some remain to chat and watch TV with their families, while others gather at one house, chew qat together and discuss past Ramadans and local affairs. In most cases, individuals come together and try to help each other solve their problems and make future plans.
Citizens face many difficulties throughout the year, but especially at Ramadan due to high living expenses and things they want to buy for the month. As a result, the majority of men work nearly the entire month in other governorates to make money to purchase Ramadan and eid requirements.
This year's Ramadan in Raimah certainly is better than last year's. Most roads connecting Raimah with other governorates are prepared and paved so users easily can reach the area at anytime. Travelers previously spent much time traveling to their villages and only on specific days, whereas cars now come and go anytime. Moreover, Raimah's capital of Al-Jabin now has electricity, so for these reasons, the area's atmosphere is better than before.
Moreover, even though the recent presidential and local elections are over, locals remain in a political spirit, feeling like they did something great in their life and awaiting their hopes' fulfillment.
What also distinguishes Ramadan from other months are the types of food and beverages people buy when they shop during the last week of the previous month, Sha'aban. Raimah and other governorates share nearly the same kinds of foods during Ramadan.
The most common Ramadan dishes in Raimah are dates, soup, shafoot and sambousah for the iftar meal and fattah (breadcrumbs with ghee and honey), salta, rice, chicken or beef, spaghetti, salad, vegetables and sweets for dinner.
Citizens celebrate Ramadan's arrival because they are happy and anxious to welcome the month, considering it a time of mercy, forgiveness and cooperation, especially for simple individuals. They spend the month praying, reciting the Qur'an and visiting friends, relatives and other families.
Rich citizens provide the poor with various types of food, sweets and clothes, especially at the end of Ramadan. So for the wealthy, the month is a time for charity as they do their best to relieve life's pressures upon the poor. For this reason, the poor don't suffer as much during Ramadan and temporarily find solutions to their needs and problems.
People have mixed feelings as Ramadan draws to an end. On one hand, they're happy because they did their best to fast, pray, recite the Qur'an, help others and do good works. But on the other, they're sad and depressed because the month and its blessings are ending and they must wait another year until it comes again. Such is life day after day, month after month and year after year – happiness and sadness.
After experiencing such a spiritual time, in the last three days of Ramadan, people recognize that they must return to reality again. They recognize that the eid is coming and friends and relatives from different cities will join them in sharing eid happiness, so they begin preparing necessities to make their family and guests happy and comfortable.
Most citizens, especially those with good fortune, buy goats and sheep to slaughter during the eid. The poor depend on souks and buy meat there according to their ability. People also buy clothes for their family members. Women begin preparing eid sweets while also trying their best to beautify their hands and legs with either henna or naksh. Children buy various toys and games, as well as receive many gifts from family and friends. Thus, just as it comes, so Ramadan goes.
After being part of Sana'a governorate, Raimah was established in 2003. With an area of approximately 2,000 km. and an estimated 395,000 inhabitants, the governorate consists of six districts divided into 66 communities.
Raimah is simply a range of mountains overlooking the west toward Yemen's Tihama strip. Its mountains ascend gradually from 150 meters above sea level to approximately 3,000 meters. Several wadis criss-cross the governorate, with Wadi Ramma'a in the south and Wadi Seihan in the east. However, Wadi Al-Bulbul, Mazhar and Dhumah are the most significant.
Raimah governorate also is famous for its agricultural and livestock wealth as well as its honey.
Saleh Al-Ba'dani is a Yemeni student studying in the United States. A graduate of Sana'a University's Faculty of Languages, he currently is pursing a Master of Arts in English studies.
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