This is my
first Ramazan at home in the Maldives as an adult. I have to say I have been
anticipating the smell of hedhikaa, the long afternoons in the kitchen
listening to siyarath on the radio, the karaa fani, and the late night card
games I remember from my childhood.
Alas! The
Ramazan I remember has been washed away by the bearded men in ankle revealing
trousers... Instead of the usual TV shows which were made for Ramazan there are
sermons. One of which I had the unfortunate pleasure of having to listen to
while preparing food ... it talked about menstrual blood of all things! The
colours, the consistency... understandably I ate very little that day at break
fast time.
And the food
two types of hedhika; one spicy the other one sweet is a spartan shadow to what
I remember. We use to have 4 or 5 different types of spicy hedhikaa, 2 types of
sweets, 2 types of fresh fruit juice, 1 or 2 curries and rihaakuru, mashuni or
mas kurolhi everyday. Yes! In my family Ramazan was celebrated, it was my
favourite month of the year.
I think the
only legacy left intact was karaa! Still as juicy, sweet and as red as I
remember it!
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