Ramadan in Yemen [Archives:2000/48/Culture]

Daily routine of a Yemeni changes as Ramadan, the month of fasting, starts every year. however, the way Yemenis of different places, casts even origins does differ in the styles they welcome the holy month and celebrate it all through. differences arise in the cuisines, customs, even rituals. in fact during the month some weird traditions and philosophies appear which have no relation to the religion but are just born out of human imagination in many areas in Yemen.
The Welcome
Just before the month starts, people of all ages hail Ramadan with slogans and chorales singing welcoming songs. They also do their shopping to prepare for the great expenditure in food and entertainments leading to a negative effect of hiking the prices. A new different budget for house is considered, children, and families, even the schools for boys and girls adopt their hours of teaching and studies for the welcome of the most lovely and highest spiritual month of all the year.
Simultaneously, most of the city residents return to the village, adding to the celebration of the month when families get together after a long time.
Night turns to day
Although, the government reduces the number of working hours from seven to five. The real activity of people in different jobs start in the evening. During the day people prefer to sleep and to do their prayers in mosques.
Soiree and late nights
Another synonym for Ramadan in the Yemeni culture is staying up late. depending on ages and interest, people either stay up in mosques praying and reciting Quran, in political gatherings to discuss matters until dawn or simply in youth gatherings to chat, have fun watch TV and play cards. It wouldnt be a strange scene to see lights on at 3 or 4 in the morning or people strolling in the streets just before dawn.
Ramadan lanterns
a lovely symbol of the month is the kerosene lamp or the linter. In the country side, where 75% of it still hasnt got electricity, people buy kerosene lanterns to use while others buy electric generators which turn Ramadan into a carnival of lights.
Food and costumes
costumes and traditions of people in the country are different from those of people in the cities. Meals presented in the country consist mainly of dates, fruits and vegetables. The main course is Shafoot , a bread made of wheat and corn with milk or honey as a light snack after Al.Magreb prayers. In cities, soup is preferred by people to compensate for the lost energy. Others costumes in Ramadan are like giving handouts to poor people. one of the targets of Ramadan is to make the rich feel what the poor suffer.
A clear paradox in Ramadan, is that rich exaggerate in food consumption which is not what fasting in Ramadan was set for. for it is essentially stated to equip man with a creative sense of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is hoping to please Allah and is seeking his grace.
It indoctrinates man in patience and unselfishness, because when he fasts he feels the pains of deprivation but endures patiently. Truly this deprivation may be only temporary, yet there is not doubt that the experience makes him realize the severe effects of such pains on others who might be deprived of essential commodities for days or weeks. The meaning of this experience in a social and humanitarian sense is that such a person is much quicker than anybody else in sympathizing with his fellow men and responding to their needs. And that is an eloquent expression of unselfishness and genuine sympathy.
Strange beliefs
People in the country believe that in Ramadan, demons are prohibited from harming people. in other parts of the Yemeni country mystic groups give religious celebrations called Mawlid in which they ask God to forgive them.
To conclude, Ramadan in Yemen is very special for all people are willing to forgive and to forget each others mistakes. In Ramadan people get united, live a wonderful spiritual life and get washed from their sins so they can have a new start after Ramadan.

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