Damascus, Feb. 17 (SANA) Among Syria’s cities, Damascus has long stood out for a unique pre-Ramadan custom known as Takriza, a communal celebration marking the approach of the holy month. Rooted in centuries-old practice, the tradition reflects the joy and anticipation that accompany Ramadan while reinforcing the city’s social bonds.
A Gathering Before the Fast
Takriza is a traditional Damascene gathering held a few days before the start of Ramadan. Families, friends and neighbours come together often outdoors to share food and conversation in a festive atmosphere.
Historically, these outings took place in the orchards and open areas surrounding the capital, including Eastern Ghouta, Rabweh, Dummar and al-Hameh. Participants would spend the day enjoying home-cooked meals, singing and exchanging stories in an atmosphere of inclusiveness, where people from different social backgrounds shared the same space and table.
Origins and Meaning
According to historical accounts, the word Takriza is believed to derive from ancient Syriac roots. Some historians link it to the term kazdoura, meaning a short excursion, though Takriza traditionally implied a longer outing beyond the city’s immediate quarters.
The Association of Authentic Traditions says the custom dates back to the Mamluk era. Originally, Takriza served as a symbolic farewell to the month of Shaaban and a communal welcome to Ramadan. Over time, it became closely associated with Damascus itself, reflecting the city’s layered history and diverse influences.
Food as Celebration
Cuisine plays a central role in Takriza. Women traditionally prepare popular dishes such as mujaddara, hara’ osba‘o (literally “his finger was burned”) and foul moudammas, alongside Ramadan favourites including kibbeh labaniyeh, shish barak and sheikh al-mahshi.
One symbolic culinary tradition, known as bayyada, involves preparing yoghurt-based dishes as a sign of optimism for the fasting month ahead. Meal preparation is often collective, reinforcing cooperation and kinship ties within extended families
Games and Social Rituals
Younger men typically engage in traditional games such as backgammon (tawla), mancala and other local pastimes, creating a lively atmosphere of friendly competition.
As the day draws to a close, participants gather for prayers, expressing hopes for peace and prosperity. Elders offer guidance on fasting, devotion and reconciliation, and lingering disputes are often resolved making the occasion not only festive but restorative. For younger generations, Takriza serves as an informal lesson in tolerance, solidarity and mutual respect.
Preserving a Living Tradition
Damascenes continue to revive and promote the custom through cultural initiatives aimed at reconnecting people with traditions that have faded amid the rise of social media and digital communication.
Today, Takriza remains a distinctly Damascene expression of continuity and belonging. In an era increasingly shaped by virtual interaction, the tradition underscores the enduring value of face-to-face connection, shared meals and collective celebration elements that continue to shape Damascus’s cultural identity.
