Design Board Cairo

1. JULY 2012 PAGE 1

2. DESIGN BOARD
What is Ramadan?
Spending the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt is different than elsewhere.
Other than the rituals practiced during that month, certain social habits of
Egyptian Moslems are much different than anywhere else.
Ramadan is a month that follows the lunar calendar, the basis of Islamic (or
Hijri) calendar. With an eleven-day difference than the Gregorian, the exact
timing of Ramadan during the year becomes variable, sometimes falling in
summer, and sometimes in winter. The first day of Ramadan too is variable,
since "Sha’aban", the preceding month, sometimes comes in 29 days and
sometimes in 30. Astronomical calculations are utilized to detect the birth of
the moon, yet the cornerstone remains to be its visualization after sunset.
Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days, as most lunar months.
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3. DESIGN BOARD
Fasting . Iftar . Sohour
The principal ritual during Ramadan is fasting. This entails abandoning eating,
drinking, smoking or sinning - even if minor - throughout the whole day, from
dawn to sunset. Though the usual daily practice is natural, Moslems prefer to
spend more time praying or reading the Qura’an, particularly at night.
The daily meals become limited to two, the first of which is the ”Iftar" which is
breaking the fasting that takes place immediately with sunset. The timing of
the second meal - ”Sohour" - is variable according to personal preference, but
usually delayed as much as possible until just before dawn. In between ”Iftar"
and ”Sohour", people are allowed to eat liberally.
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4. DESIGN BOARD
What makes this month different in Egypt?
Since long time, Egyptians adopted certain social habits during that month,
which are not directly related to religion. Officially, the working hours are
diminished to allow more time for prayers. People usually sleep very late,
sometimes at dawn, after spending long times in mosques. The traditional
practice start immediately after sunset, which is announced to people through
all mosques by the ritual "azan", or the call for prayers. Long time ago, it
became the habit that the government fires a cannon, which voice is so loud
to be heard everywhere for announcement. Though modern technology has
replaced this habit, yet it is still practiced and announced daily on the air on
TV. This tradition started during the 16th century, when the cannon was fired
from the Cairo Citadel over ”El-Moqattam" mount, and continued since then.
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5. DESIGN BOARD
The IFTAR
"Iftar" is a rich meal, which is considered the principal one. Though this
includes any type of food, yet the dessert almost always include the ”Konafa"
or ”Qatayef". The former is a cake-like made of wheat, and full of sugar,
honey, raisins and different types of nuts. The later is almost the same, but
takes the shape of a small circular cake, which is folded to include the nuts
and raisins
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6. DESIGN BOARD
Prices Vs Needs
Food inflation in Egypt stood at 19 % in June versus a year earlier, double the
core inflation rate and slightly higher than pre-revolutionary levels. Prices of
rice, beans, butter, pepper along with other foodstuffs all recorded large
increases. Meat in particular has soared, although Ramadan customs make it
a near-essential component of a good meal,
Food is generally a protected sector and it's even more defensive in
Ramadan. In Order to satisfy Ramadan needs, What we might see is a shift
within the food sector from high-end brands to middle or lower ones.
Most of fast food stores, cafes & restaurants start working after “Iftar”
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7. DESIGN BOARD
Prices Vs Needs
Profitability in Ramadan:
For food companies, Ramadan is equal to two regular months or more in terms of
business, While many sectors slow down in Ramadan like TVs, air-conditioners
and washing machines, the food sector booms, especially dairy and soft drinks.
Design:
Special package designs, offers & promotions are usually launched in Ramadan.
High consumed products during Ramadan:
Rice, Pasta, Sugar, Oil, Ghee, Beans, Butter, Spices, Dry Fruits, Oriental Juices
(Doum – Carob – Licorice – Apricot), Meat & Chicken Products
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8. DESIGN BOARD
The Festivities of Ramadan
With Ramadan being the most joyful month of the whole year, children also have
their share of fun. The ”Fanoos" or lantern, is a must for every kid to have.
These are traditionally made of tin and colored glass,
with a candle inside. Modern ones are battery operated,
but lack the spirit.
All mosques and streets during the whole month
are full of colored lights in a festival fashion.
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9. DESIGN BOARD
Family gathering
With the introduction of TV in the 1960’s, the traditions changed again. TV
transmission lasts almost 24 hours a day, and the programs include too many
new serials and movies. More than half of the serials produced by the
Egyptian TV are broadcasted during Ramadan for the first time. The other
traditional program is the ”Fawazeer", which is a daily riddle played in a comic
or a musical show. The family is usually gathered around the TV for long
hours, if they do not go for prayers. Nuts are consumed as a snack, together
with a traditional drink ”Qamar El-Deen" which is made of apricot. Most people
prefer to spend at least the first day in an extended family reunion fashion,
gathering in the grand parents’ house.
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10. DESIGN BOARD
Going out
After the first few days, people start to go out after ”Iftar". So many gatherings
between families, friends or colleagues take place for the main meal and few
hours after. As so many people prefer to spend their time in the old fashioned
atmosphere of cafes, many hotels now encourage this. It became a tradition
for all 5-star hotels to build a large tent, furnished in the old Arabian
decoration, where people enjoy their time listening to old traditional songs and
music, recalling memories of the old classical days. "Sheesha" or water-pipes
are smoked for fun, which during that month becomes unlimited.
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11. DESIGN BOARD
Sports during Ramadan
Sports have their share as well. Most clubs arrange minor tournaments,
especially for football. Many people from all ages share, even the elders who
compete with their peers. It is not unusual to find so many professional
football players among those teams of amateurs. The issue is not to win, but
to share. In poor districts where no clubs are available, the youth and children
can utilize a side street or alley as a football field. Although not encouraged
throughout the year, but during Ramadan, people become very tolerant.
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12. DESIGN BOARD
Mesaharaty
The show remains till late at night, and sometimes till the dawn prayers before
people sleep. Some cannot stand that long period, and would sleep early to
wake up shortly before dawn. In the old days, the tradition was a man named
"mesaharaty" to walk down the streets before dawn with a drum. He used to
wake up the people through singing and calling their names. The mesaharaty
was not paid a fixed salary, but donations, and though this profession became
extinct nowadays, yet it is still practiced as a tradition.
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13. DESIGN BOARD
Good manners
It is not considered good manners to show that one is not fasting. Though not
illegal, those who do not fast would usually hide to eat, drink or smoke.
Christians too share their fellow Moslems in most practices. Some would also
fast as a sign of national unity, but those who do not would never eat or drink
in public, as a sign of respect to Moslems’ traditions. Alcoholic drinks are
abandoned throughout the month, and all bars are closed.
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14. DESIGN BOARD
Happy Eid “Happy Feast”
On the last day of Ramadan,
observatories
again check for the new moon.
The month ends after the 29th or 30th
day, for the ”Eid" or feast to start.
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