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In photos: Ramadan drummers wake Muslims up for suhoor

An age old community tradition in the Middle East

Published: March 24, 2023 16:24 Nilanjana G. Javed, Editorial Liaison Manager

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Ramadan Drummers — Have you ever heard of the Mesaharati, the traditional Ramadan drummer who calls out to fasting Muslims to have their last meal before dawn during Ramadan? Image Credit: AFP

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Mesaharty El- Hag, 45, is surrounded by children as he wakes up residents for their pre-dawn meals during Ramadan in Cairo September 2, 2009. The Mesaharaty traditionally beats his drum and calls people's names to wake up Muslims to eat their meal before the beginning of the day's fast and the morning prayers during Ramadan. — According to historian Abdelmajid Abdul Aziz, the Mesaharati first appeared in Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty. The Ramadan drummers begin on the last day of the month of Shaaban and continue until after Eid Al-Fitr. They rhythmically bang a drum called a “baza,” which is said to be loud enough to wake up an entire neighborhood. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Palestinian — Although they do receive gifts, the Musaharati don't usually expect financial rewards. They sometimes carry bags or straw baskets to store food and other gifts that are given to them. Image Credit: AFP

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Ramadan Drummer in Turkey — Ramadan drummers also awaken Syria's displaced among the tents in a tented settlement near the village of Killi. They bang on a saucepan, calling on their neighbors to wake up for a last meal before dawn, often shining a small torch into the darkness as they tour the tented settlement area. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Ramadan Drummer and Eid Drummer walking in Istanbul streets at midnight 30 May 2018 Istanbul - Turkey — The Ramadan drummers in Istanbul keep the centuries-old tradition alive by wandering the streets to wake up residents for suhoor. Drummers continue to perform the tradition to this day, with apartments lighting up for the time of sahoor after the drummer beats his drum and sings poems extolling the holy month. Image Credit: shutterstock

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A man plays traditional drums as he takes a part in the Musahharati, a Ramadan tradition where drummers wake people for the meal before the day's fast, during a festival in Beirut, Lebanon June 9, 2016. — In Sidon's Old City in south Lebanon, a Mesaharati strikes his drum to wake observant Muslims for their overnight "suhoor," the last meal before the day's fast during Ramadan. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Ramadan in Jordon — However, in Jordan, with the rise of mobile-phone alarm clocks and a decline in interest among the new generation to carry on the tradition, the art of the Mesaharati is slowly dying out. Image Credit: Reuters

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In photos: Ramadan drummers wake Muslims up for suhoor

Ramadan

Ramadan

In photos: Ramadan drummers wake Muslims up for suhoor

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