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Girgian: Children's festivity celebrated during Ramadan |
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Thursday, 03 September 2009 00:15 |
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Girgian is a traditional occasion that is celebrated in Kuwait and other Gulf countries on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of the month of Ramadan.
Girgian is a traditional word that means "mixture of different things," as mixed sweets and candy are always present on this occasion, which is much looked forward to by children every year.
In the past, mothers used to sew fabric bags for their children so that they could collect sweets in them as they go from home to home, singing traditional songs. Mothers would also buy candy and nuts for this special occasion. However, Girgian these days has became a different affair for several reasons.
Employee at Kuwait University (KU), Haneen Al-Balool, said that the occasion was affected by the development of the Kuwaiti society and the
increase of income, which led families to compete in finding new ways to present candy to children.
The expansion of neighborhoods made parents insecure over leaving their children alone in the streets to get Girgian, so young girls and boys are now accompanied by maids and sometimes go by car from street to street instead of walking as children used to do in the past, she added.
Meanwhile, Maatouq Al-Maatouq, an employee at a bank, said that people love creativity and making something special, which is something that has affected Girgian. Children no longer go in groups from house to house, but have "Girgian parties" instead, he pointed out.
Kuwaittimes
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