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Children dressed in colourful traditional clothes flocked to City Centre Bahrain last night to sing, dance, play and collect goodie bags full of treats as part of the mall’s memorable annual Gergaoun celebrations.
The spirit of Ramadan and Gergaoun was buzzing as scores of shoppers and their children sparkled in bedazzled jalabiyas and crispy clean thobes and toured the popular shopping destination alongside a live band and an actor dressed as the traditional horse figure called the ‘Fraisah’.
Duaij Khalifa Al Rumaihi, City Centre Bahrain’s senior mall manager, said: “Spreading the true essence of Ramadan is what Majid Al Futtaim Properties focuses on for the activities of the holy month.
“Ramadan is a time to reflect, give back and spend time with family, friends and loved ones in the spirit of togetherness. City Centre Bahrain will be there throughout the month with themed décor, activities, entertainment and opportunities to give to those in need too.”
Gergaoun, which is usually celebrated on either the 13th, 14th or 15th of the Islamic calendar month of Ramadan, is a time when children dress up in pretty traditional attire, knocking on doors to receive sweet treats from neighbours and friends such as chocolates, candies and crisps.
It is sometimes likened to other annual island activities by expats, such as Halloween, but there are no scary costumes involved here, just happy colourful characters.
The origin of the event is believed to date back to the birth of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hasan ibn Ali, when sweets were handed out to people in celebration.
Nowadays, Bahraini families will often gather together to play games while the older children and some of the adults dress up as the ‘horseman’ to wander the neighbourhood and sing Gergaoun songs and beat traditional drums.
This celebration is just one of the many ways City Centre Bahrain commemorates the holy month. The children played traditional games in the mall’s central galleria as well as sang songs and danced with mascots as the band drummed along. They also collected goodie bags full of treats, from participating retailers.
The mall is also encouraging visitors to support its annual Make a Difference initiative in partnership with the Bahrain Islamic Association.
Shoppers are contributing clothes, books, toys and non-perishable food items in special donation boxes placed at the mall’s Central Galleria on the ground floor, behind the main customer service desk.
Families coming to the mall to donate from tomorrow to June 6, can visit a ‘Build a Bear’ activation booth too. Children will be able to drop their donations on a conveyor belt, while learning more about Ramadan values through animated screens and will receive a ‘thank you’ teddy bear.
For more details about City Centre Bahrain, visit the mall’s customer service desks or www.facebook.com/citycentrebahrain and www.citycentrebahrain.com
