There is nothing left of Ramadan except its name. With these words, Jordanians describe the current Ramadan atmosphere, after many customs and traditions associated with the holy month have disappeared, while popular games and even professions that have been a prominent feature for decades have been forgotten.

About a decade ago, the phenomenon of group banquets and Rahman banquets no longer existed as it was, and the clamor of children in the hours after Iftar disappeared and the games they used to play disappeared, and there are many Ramadan professions that no longer exist in some countries due to social, cultural and technological changes.
About 70 years ago, cultural diversity formed a fertile ground for the multiplicity of Ramadan customs and traditions in the country, as many cultures immigrated to Jordan, such as Levantine, Kurdish, Palestinian, Circassian and Chechen families.
Missed professions
For years, the month of Ramadan was considered an opportunity for many professions and seasonal businesses, but there are some professions that are no longer common at this time for several reasons, most notably the application of health and municipal laws.
Among them are those selling licorice juice and mesaharati, which have been replaced by other means that play their role, such as television, the Internet and mobile phones. With the passage of time, the importance of the Mesaharati in Jordanian society decreased, and the collective and unified call to prayer became a more effective means of reminding people of the times of prayer and fasting.

In the same list, the profession of makers of traditional caftans, robes, and abayas stands out, after the phenomenon of wearing traditional religious and Ramadan costumes disappeared, and the profession of making lanterns declined to be replaced by electronic decorations that occupied balconies and windows at the expense of traditional decorations.Ramadan cannon holds upWhile the Ramadan cannon still represents a folkloric Ramadan tradition, a custom that has been inherited and preserved by the Jordanian generations since the founding of the Kingdom 100 years ago, as members of the Jordanian Armed Forces daily and throughout the holy month undertake the task of firing the Iftar cannon from the center of the capital, Amman.

And the matter is not limited to professions, as there are many Ramadan traditions that have declined in Jordan, such as family visits, Ramadan evening parties, and distributing gifts to children in public places.

As for the storyteller, who used to occupy a prominent position among the people and café-goers, to tell stories and tales in his own style, he became one of the memories. In the past, it recounted stories and historical and popular events, with the aim of strengthening social bonds between people. With the passage of time and the change of customs and traditions, the role of the storyteller in Jordanian society declined during the month of Ramadan, and modern recreational activities such as watching television, Ramadan tents, and listening to music became more widespread and attractive.

Nevertheless, the old tales are still etched in the memory of some of the older generations in Jordan, and the storyteller is considered part of their distinctive cultural heritage.Popular games are goneAccording to the popular heritage, there are many popular and Ramadan games that were available in the past, but are no longer present in our time, the most prominent of these games is the windmill game, which is considered one of the most famous popular games in Jordan, the clock game, and the treasure hunt game, which until recently remained preserving its popularity.

In a number of neighborhoods east of the Jordanian capital, Amman, some children are still playing the “Silka” game. With the onset of night, and after hours of breakfast, boys and teenagers gather around the blazing fires in which the household “scouring pad” is used, which, by waving it, forms an unparalleled aesthetic view on the face. despite its seriousness.

The writer, Ahmed Abu Khalil, classifies the new professions that emerged during the month of Ramadan recently as the “shadow economy,” which is the seasonal activity that is usually practiced with the aim of obtaining a basic or additional income, usually modest, referring to the stalls, “pick-up” cars, carts selling Ramadan juices, and a long list of Professions created by social changes. Despite this, statistical studies indicate that the economic situation experienced by a large segment of Jordanian society has not affected inherited social habits, especially those with limited incomes, such as Ramadan banquets.

Among the inherited traditions that were absent from the homes of Jordanians is the “dish of goodness”, which has become usually limited to a limited group of people. .

Arabic Independent