I first saw a Ramadhan drummer in Jordan in 2008. Nobody had told me about this tradition before and so I was quite bewildered when I first heard someone screaming in the street at 3am (yes I would stay up until suhoor because that’s what 18 year old students do!). At first my western mind told me “oh it must be a drunk person”, to which my new found Arabian mind corrected “no maybe a mentally challenged person?”. But when I rushed to the window I saw they had what looked like a drum in their hands! “Oh my god!” I shouted, hoping it would wake my early to bed flat mates up from their sleep- “it’s a drummer!!! That’s soooo cool!!”
I kept my eyes on him as he walked through the streets drumming and calling, calling and drumming. Before long he was out of sight but still in ears way. Only when I couldn’t hear him anymore did I decide it was time to have suhoor. Wide eyed and excited i narrated to my flat mates what I saw.
15 years on my first glance at the Ramadhan drummer still stays in my mind, the beat of the drum and their human alarm clock echoing in my ears.
I later learnt that the Ramadhan drummers, also known as “Mesaharati” in Arabic, are traditional figures in many Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan. They play an important role during the month of Ramadan by waking people up for suhoor and fajr. They roam the streets beating drums and chanting traditional verses to announce the time for suhoor. This tradition dates back centuries and adds to the cultural ambiance of Ramadan in the region.
In recent years, the tradition of the Ramadhan drummer has faced some criticism due to noise pollution concerns and changes in lifestyle patterns. For these reasons it seems a dying art.
A few Ramadhans ago I was particularly drawn to researching the Ramadhan drummers. I wanted to learn more about drummers of the holy month and feel connected to this tradition. I came across a YouTube video of Dalal AbdelQadir the only female Ramadhan drummer in Cairo. May Allah Bless her. Her story is so endearing and heartwarming!
Take a look here: https://youtu.be/kbWR5Tyr4ns?si=Or-fHuipKM0TE5w3
The drum is more connected to us and our Muslim cultures than perhaps we may ever know. The more years that pass, the more countries I visit and the more time I spend researching in this path, the more I learn about wonderous stories of Salawat rhythm and beats!
I pray that this Ramadhan rhythmic tradition continues to light up the alleys of Muslim counties – I know I for one could use a good drummer to wake me up! And May many more generations carry on the beat InshaAllah!