JEDDAH: More than 40,000 lanterns adorn the entrances of houses and restaurants in Jeddah during Ramadan, posing as ambassadors announcing the coming of the holy month, a report in a local newspaper said.
Ghaleb Omar bin Mahri, an importer of Chinese lanterns said: “At the end of the month of Rajab, we get prepared by importing large quantities of lanterns, about 250,000 of different types and sizes. Other merchants also provide other quantities where demand increases on lanterns starting from Shaban until mid-Ramadan.”
He said Chinese lanterns flooded the Saudi markets during the last three years and demand is high on them because of their affordable prices and good quality.
“The golden brightness of the lantern is one reason for this high demand by customers, in comparison to the traditional Egyptian lanterns which are handmade and easily broken,” he added.
He said large-sized lanterns are mostly preferred by hotels; the medium one by restaurants and shopping centers; and the small-sized one are mostly in demand by families. “Some lanterns are adorned with welcoming phrases of the holy month,” he explained.
Hani Abbad, a salesman of lanterns in the southern market of Jeddah said on their prices: “The big sizes are priced at SR400-500; the medium sizes about SR185-190; while the small ones are sold at SR95-100.”
Hassan Al-Yafaie, who sells traditional Egyptian lanterns, says in this regard: “Lanterns first appeared in Egypt. Some customers prefer the Egyptian lanterns only because of its association with history. There are around 15,000 Egyptian lanterns selling in the markets now with prices ranging from SR60-100 and up to SR190-250,” he said.
The lantern has always been recognized as symbol of Ramadan. In fact, when Ramadan is to be announced, the streets are dressed in festive lanterns as a way to celebrate it for a whole month.
“When Ramadan comes, shops, coffee shops and homes light up the lantern as a sign of the holy month,” said Hassan, an owner of a coffee shop in downtown Jeddah. “I like to hang it as a tradition and cultural habit that I inherited from my father.”
Lanterns are usually made in Egypt where the humble makers start making them a month before Ramadan with very basic tools.
“Each day, in every workshop, tens of lanterns of special designs are made and then stored carefully away or hanged in the ceiling, waiting for their season,” said Mansour, an owner of a Fanous shop in downtown Jeddah. “I get my merchandise from downtown Cairo especially to be sold in Jeddah because they offer good quality at a low price.”
Lanterns used to be made solely from copper and brass, but thanks to modern technology, they can now be found made of recycled tins, colored glass and even fitted with candles. Furthermore, in China, for example, you can find lanterns made from colored plastic that play special Ramadan songs to attract children.
“Children now hold those small lanterns and run around the streets with joy,” said Am Mahmoud, a toy seller in downtown Jeddah. “Plastic lanterns are cheap and can be easily charged with new batteries. They also put parents at ease for not having to deal with fire.”
Saudi families have adopted this tradition of hanging lanterns in their homes and it has become a yearly ritual.
Ghaleb Omar bin Mahri, an importer of Chinese lanterns said: “At the end of the month of Rajab, we get prepared by importing large quantities of lanterns, about 250,000 of different types and sizes. Other merchants also provide other quantities where demand increases on lanterns starting from Shaban until mid-Ramadan.”
He said Chinese lanterns flooded the Saudi markets during the last three years and demand is high on them because of their affordable prices and good quality.
“The golden brightness of the lantern is one reason for this high demand by customers, in comparison to the traditional Egyptian lanterns which are handmade and easily broken,” he added.
He said large-sized lanterns are mostly preferred by hotels; the medium one by restaurants and shopping centers; and the small-sized one are mostly in demand by families. “Some lanterns are adorned with welcoming phrases of the holy month,” he explained.
Hani Abbad, a salesman of lanterns in the southern market of Jeddah said on their prices: “The big sizes are priced at SR400-500; the medium sizes about SR185-190; while the small ones are sold at SR95-100.”
Hassan Al-Yafaie, who sells traditional Egyptian lanterns, says in this regard: “Lanterns first appeared in Egypt. Some customers prefer the Egyptian lanterns only because of its association with history. There are around 15,000 Egyptian lanterns selling in the markets now with prices ranging from SR60-100 and up to SR190-250,” he said.
The lantern has always been recognized as symbol of Ramadan. In fact, when Ramadan is to be announced, the streets are dressed in festive lanterns as a way to celebrate it for a whole month.
“When Ramadan comes, shops, coffee shops and homes light up the lantern as a sign of the holy month,” said Hassan, an owner of a coffee shop in downtown Jeddah. “I like to hang it as a tradition and cultural habit that I inherited from my father.”
Lanterns are usually made in Egypt where the humble makers start making them a month before Ramadan with very basic tools.
“Each day, in every workshop, tens of lanterns of special designs are made and then stored carefully away or hanged in the ceiling, waiting for their season,” said Mansour, an owner of a Fanous shop in downtown Jeddah. “I get my merchandise from downtown Cairo especially to be sold in Jeddah because they offer good quality at a low price.”
Lanterns used to be made solely from copper and brass, but thanks to modern technology, they can now be found made of recycled tins, colored glass and even fitted with candles. Furthermore, in China, for example, you can find lanterns made from colored plastic that play special Ramadan songs to attract children.
“Children now hold those small lanterns and run around the streets with joy,” said Am Mahmoud, a toy seller in downtown Jeddah. “Plastic lanterns are cheap and can be easily charged with new batteries. They also put parents at ease for not having to deal with fire.”
Saudi families have adopted this tradition of hanging lanterns in their homes and it has become a yearly ritual.
