MAKKAH, 15 October 2007 — Elderly Makkawis described to Arab News how Eid Al-Fitr used to be celebrated in the vicinity of Islam’s holiest site. These old folks are calling for preserving these traditions, particularly the barzat, which was a special nightly event during Eid when the local community leader — called the umda — would host a gathering that included folkloric dances and sporting competitions that would last well into the night.
“In old days, people used to make intensive preparations for Eid during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Housewives cleaned furniture and curtains,” said Mahmoud ibn Sulaiman Al-Baitar, the umda of Makkah’s Hejla district.
“A variety of popular cultural and sports programs will be held along with a public dinner with a variety of popular dishes.”
Immediately after Eid prayers, people used to visit each other and eat breakfast at home. Then they would gather for lunch together. People would then gather around the barzat to enjoy the shows and other activities that would take place for three days. All the performers would be people from the neighborhood.
Kings and princes were known to attend Makkah’s local barzat celebrations, often giving out money or favors in keeping with the spirit of Ramadan charity and the concept of diwan, the Saudi tribal tradition of powerful leaders (kings, princes, chiefs) receiving commoners to personally address individual grievances or other appeals for help.
During Eid, these favors usually involve kings or high-level princes giving funds for community projects rather than addressing individual needs directly.
Nevertheless, locals work hard to organize the best barzat if they expect to be receiving a member of royalty, hoping that a reward will be given that will help the district and its residents.
“In those days kings and princes used to attend barzat events, too,” said Al-Baitar. “King Saud, King Faisal and King Khaled visited Makkah districts in order to extend Eid greetings to the public. Receiving an award from the king is a great honor and it will be the talk of the town throughout the year.”
In the past, Al-Baitar said, umdas would also pay visits to other districts in Makkah and attend each other’s barzat. But nowadays it seems that the tradition is fading, added the umda, who has held his position as community leader since 1995.
“I want to revive those good traditions,” said Al-Baitar. “Umdas in the past used to supply the needs of people in their districts either directly or through their children or wives.”
The umda, he said, would be careful to help individual families privately so as to avoid public scrutiny for their needs.
“They did it secretly without hurting the feelings of beneficiaries,” he said.
