Al-Awamiya in Luxor: A hundred years and the rituals of the Prophet’s birthday remain unchanged
For more than a hundred years, the rituals of the people of Al-Awamiya village in the governorate of Luxor have remained unchanged in their celebration of the Prophet’s birthday. The scene remains the same, preserving the fragrance of history and the spirituality of the religious occasion, in an annual tradition that remains alive despite the waves of modernity.
The Daura
One of the most important aspects of the celebrations in Al-Awamiya is the Daura, or procession, in which dozens of villagers carry sticks and thick poles, chanting praises to the Prophet to the tune of the local flute, and roam the streets and alleys of the village in an atmosphere reminiscent of a popular carnival. The sounds of the flute mingle with the hoofbeats of horses, camels, and donkeys.
A journey between family diwans
The procession begins on the morning of Mawlid in front of the Al-Matawa family diwan in Azbat Al-Hawadqin, embarking on a long journey that passes by all the family diwans in the village and ends in front of the Al-Eid family diwan.
During the procession, the residents welcome the participants and offer them tea, sherbet, and light refreshments, in a tradition that has remained unchanged. Despite the spread of loudspeakers and DJs in some neighboring villages, Awamia remains committed to its heritage, and no sound can be heard above the sound of the local flute and the praises of the Prophet.
Mahmoud Al-Tiri, one of the organizers of the event, says, “We hold on to our ancient heritage and have not changed anything. We have seen other villages replace the praises and chants with DJs or Nubian songs, which has nothing to do with celebrating the Prophet’s birthday.” As for us, we stick to traditional praises such as ‘Tal’ al-Badr ‘Alayna’ and ‘Taha Ya Rasul Allah,’ and we roam the entire village despite the difficulty of walking, which we find enjoyable, full of spirituality and joy.”
Intergenerational participation
What is striking about the Awamia cycle is that it is a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Although older people were more present in the past, today it is mostly young people who participate. Hajj Abdul-Sabur Abdul-Wahab, one of the village elders, says: “In the past, we used to ride camels and participate in the procession, and the elders were always in the front rows. Today, things have changed, and most of the participants are young people, perhaps because the elders are busy with their lives, but the rituals themselves have not changed. Al-Awamiya remains faithful to its customs.”
Joy and social warmth
The procession is not limited to chanting and walking, but is interspersed with social and spiritual rituals. The young people of the family that the procession reaches join in the woodcutting or horse dances to the beat of flutes and drums, while sweets and snacks are distributed to the children, turning the procession into a mini-festival that fills hearts with joy.
Abdulhamid Al-Rawi, a resident of the village, points out that the procession also plays a social role: “The procession is not just a religious celebration, but also an occasion to reconnect families. If there is a dispute or quarrel between two families, the procession is an opportunity for reconciliation and renewal of affection. All the houses open their doors to the procession, and this in itself promotes intimacy and love.”
Heritage versus modernity
Despite the radical changes that the countryside has undergone in recent decades, the people of Awamia insist on practicing their rituals as they are. For them, the Prophet’s birthday is not just a passing memory, but an embodiment of the village’s collective identity and memory.
Al-Tiri emphasizes: “The prophetic praises are not just poems in praise of the Prophet, but a means of connecting new generations to their religious heritage. When young people chant ‘Tal’ al-Badr ‘alayna’ (The full moon has risen upon us) or ‘Ayya al-‘Amal ya Ahmad’ (What is the matter, Ahmad?), they are evoking the atmosphere of Badr and Medina.”
A live movie scene
Those watching the procession from outside the village feel as if they are watching a live movie scene: rows of men with sticks, followed by decorated horses and camels, accompanied by the sounds of flutes and drums. Women and children stand on both sides of the road, clapping and cheering, and houses are decorated with green flags, in a dazzling image that combines religion, heritage, and popular joy.
A threatened heritage or one that will live forever?
Despite the people’s attachment to this celebration, the question remains: will the “cycle” remain steadfast in the face of modernity and changing popular tastes? Some believe that its continuation for more than a century is proof of its strength and ability to survive, especially since it is linked to both religious and social sentiment.
The narrator says reassuringly: “Each generation comes and adds something small, but the essence remains the same. The Dura will continue as long as there is love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, and as long as there are people who hold on to their heritage.”
Thus, Al-Awamiya remains a living example of an Upper Egyptian village that has preserved its religious and social heritage for more than a century. The Prophet’s birthday celebration is not just a celebration, but a scene that encapsulates the meaning of belonging and communication between generations. As life moves rapidly towards modernity, the sound of the local flute and praises in the streets of Al-Awamia remain a testament to the strength of heritage and its ability to survive.
