Focus

Ramadan’s Nawba one of traditions in the Moroccan Sahara

Who’s going to offer Breakfast today? Frequently asked question between women and men in the southern provinces, during the month of Ramadan. A question that refers to the tradition of "Ramadan’s nawba", that friends of both sexes, relatives of one family or tribe, young and old, organize in the holy month of Ramadan, more than other months of the year.

"Nawba" usually means (rotation), the organization of a group of friends, in the form of medium or large groups, in organizing collective breakfast hosting all the members of the group. Which refers to exchanging the question above between some members of the group on alternating breakfast, in order to locate the host house to on the day.

"Nawba" is one of the ways of social communication, kinship ties in the holy month of Ramadan for the population of the southern provinces. It ensures the conveying of oral Hassani poetry and literature, as it may be accompanied by enthusiastic "wars", which may includes unprepared poetry competitions or popular games such as "drafts” and "Seekh". Some may prefer modern games such as "domino" or a card game. All these games may take the form of collective tournaments ending with the declaration of the winning teams in the last day of Ramadan. While winning teams enjoy the joy of winning, losers wait for next Ramadan to take revenge.

The level of excitement rose especially among older men and women due to passion and intensity of watching the great games included such as "Seekh" and "drafts” which may be heard away from the place of competition.

Ramadan’s Nawba extends to the nights of Ramadan, which may turn into day; after evening prayers and Taraweeh, people rush to meeting and exchange. Here, the three aspects accompanying sipping "tea" ie (community, extension, and hot coals) appear as the most important inherited traditional elements.

Source: CORCAS
(News on Western Sahara/ Corcas)

 
 
 

  
  
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