The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar hosted its first Qaranqao or Garangao Night for the community residing in and around Education City. The event was organized by the VCUQ Student Government Association (SGA). The students worked very hard to create a traditional environment reflective of the Garangao atmosphere. The event served as a showcase for people unfamiliar with the Garangao tradition and as a wonderful reminder to those who have not recently participated in the cultural games and events of the region.
The event which attracted over 150 members of the community and ran from 7:30PM to midnight cost 10QR per child to enter. Accompanying parents and grandparents were allowed free entry. “This was a fun way to highlight that the focus of the night was children between the ages of two to fourteen. The event rekindles the Garangao tradition when kids would gather and go around the houses in the neighborhood to collect nuts and candies while singing the Garangao song.”
Some of the traditional games at the occasion included those familiar to a western audience such as Tug-O-War and Sack Racing. Others such as Al Sagla, a shell and pebble game where the player tosses the pebble upwards and tries to take a shell and catch the pebble at the same time might be unfamiliar to those new to the Gulf region. In Taq-Taq-Taqiya children sit in a circle while one runs around outside the circle tagging the others.
Along with providing traditional food and candy VCUQ students also provided an arts and crafts table where kids were able to design and cut paper lanterns and paint jars. Other students hosted a Henna Corner where kids got a chance to get henna artwork on their hands. In the Photo Corner kids got a chance to dress up in traditional Qatari clothing and have a Polaroid picture taken of them with a traditional backdrop. One of the visitors stated, “This is my first time at Garangao Night. It is a lot of fun for the kids. I hope we get to attend this every year.” Events such as Garangao provide an opportunity for the young to experience some traditional games and for the grown-ups to reminisce about their youth.
About VCUQ:
VCUQ offers specialized programs in three different design professions. Students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in communication design, fashion design, or interior design. Highly qualified professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional field of their choice. VCUQ also organizes exhibitions, gallery events, world-class design conferences, and annual fashion shows. VCUQ is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7238.
About Qatar Foundation:
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private non-profit organization founded in 1995 by the Emir and head of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The vision of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, the chairperson of Qatar Foundation, has established a revolutionary educational initiative that brings first-class educational programs and organizations to both Qatari citizens and people throughout the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.qf.org.qa.
