Ramadan's Grand Finale

The month of Ramadan is officially over.  A month of fasting during daylight hours and feasting at night.  The new moon showed itself last night, according to our night guard, so they could start the celebration after evening prayers last night.  And what a celebration it has been.  

Chicken and guinea fowl seemed to be the meat of choice and they were for sale along the streets. 

 

I was surprised how the prices on food items sky-rocketed during the month of fasting.  Only baguettes seemed to be on sale!  It will be good to see prices go back to normal in the next day or two. We've been told that more food is consumed and more money spent on food during the month of Ramadan than other months of the year in spite of the fasting.  

  The round point near our house was bustling with activity yesterday afternoon as clothes vendors hawked their wares.  Everyone wanted a new set of clothes for the holiday.

Beautiful designs were painted on hands and feet with henna.  Hair was "tressed" (braided) and the new clothes and live chickens were purchased.

Our neighbors ate chicken and couscous and fried bread mid-morning and then got all dolled up and came for a visit, bringing with them a portion of their food for us to enjoy.

This little one is such a doll.  She was dressed to the nines:  shoes, double earrings in each ear, necklace and a lovely dress.

 Then the visiting began:  family, neighbors and friends.  I sat outside for an hour or so watching the traffic pass:   taxis crammed with families,  motorcycles with whole families aboard, bicycles, pick-up trucks loaded with a dozen or more people, and lots of people walking;  all dressed in their finery to visit family and friends.

 

 The courtyard next to us is home to soooo many.  I know the ones who usually live there but today there were  many more.  I know "Grandma" has lots of grandchildren and many came to visit .  They loved having their picture taken and using my camera to take pictures.

Our neighbor boy rarely has clothes on but today he was dressed from top to bottom...for a while.  First the shoes came off and then the shirt...  Can't blame the poor kid.

 Playing games in front of our gate kept them occupied for a bit.

 Sunglasses seemed to be a big hit this year!

So I joined the fun!