Tradition Prevails

Ramadhan comes as a reminder of tradition and culture at a time when the whole world is on a fast track and people race against each other. It works as a reboot to the system in the traditional mode, the expression of which is pervasive among societies and cultures.

In the race for modernisation, many forget the taste of traditional food. Ramadhan revives the taste of traditional dishes, which are served in most households during iftar and other meals, the culmination of which is Eid when people get to eat all these delicacies. It is for the younger generation to understand ‘the taste of Oman’ which is hidden in conventional foods like Sakhana (a thick sweet soup made of wheat, date, molasses and milk and Fatta (a meat and vegetable dish mixed with Khubz rakhal — thin Omani bread made out of unleavened dough).

The holy month is the best time to experience typical Omani food. Harees, Mishkak and Shuwa are the best delicacies. Harees is prepared with wheat mixed with meat, Mishkak is skewered meat grilled on charcoal, and Shuwa is a typically Omani delicacy prepared only on special occasions. These three dishes are delicacies respectively for the first, second and third day of Eid.

Ramadhan is when everyone gets to eat homemade traditional food, and eating them with family, friends and community doubles the enjoyment. This is also a part of keeping the tradition when the world is fast switching from joint to unit families.

Who doesn’t like Omani Halwa -- a sticky sweet gelatinous substance made from brown sugar, eggs, honey and spices? However, getting it homemade in most houses is possible only during Ramadhan. Factory-made Halwas are tasty, but they cannot beat the taste of tradition stored in Omani houses. One of the popular desserts of the Sultanate of Oman, flavours are customised with ingredients such as nuts, rosewater or even chocolates.

Ramadhan comes as a great reminder of cultural and traditional values, as people love to return to their roots. They eat traditional food, wear traditional clothes and live traditionally as much as possible. Mainly they adopt minimalism and take a break from unwanted imposed modernism. This breaks their monotony, rejuvenates them and brings many other benefits that reflect their well-being.

@patkaushal