Celebrating Saints: Foods of the Moulids
Moulid are Saints birthdays which involve elaborate religious events and charity with all kinds of incredible and unique food culture.
Moulid - the Saints’ Birthdays
Moulid Saints’ Birthdays are an old tradition in many Arab countries, popularized in Egypt during the Fatimid rule. Moulids are not only exclusive for Islamic saints. They are intrinsic to the Egyptian culture and could be traced to ancient times. There are Christian moulids as well as Jewish moulids that were celebrated till recent years, but attending these celebrations is controlled for security reasons.
Man serving at moulid (2019-05-18) by NawayaNawaya
Millions of people celebrate
The religious festivities held by the different Sufi traditions attract thousands and at times millions of visitors. Most visitors come for a night out participate in the chanting, the religious dancing, or buying small gifts from the stalls or street vendors.
Sugar molds in shape of doll or horse and knight (2019-11-18) by NawayaNawaya
The Sufi calendar
The Sufi calendar is busy year round with small and big moulid festivities of the descendants of prophet Mohammed, and other religious men and women. Many of the large moulids are held in the weeks leading up to Ramadan, as no moulids are held during the fasting month.
Arousa el Moulid - dolls solds on the street (2019-11-18) by NawayaNawaya
The prophet’s moulid
The prophet’s moulid is the start of the moulid season. Moulid el Nabi desserts, and the uniquely decorated dolls and knights with horses mark the special occasion.
Moulid sweets being sold (2019-04-20) by NawayaNawaya
Supporting the Saint's followers
Some dedicated followers erect tents and live in the moulid. They came up in tents uprooted from their homes for months a time. They are welcomed and offered food and charity by the locals who consider it their duty to support the saint’s followers.
Vendor at moulid Abul Haggag (2019-04-20) by NawayaNawaya
Walking the Sufi path
People who walk the Sufi path, and people who live near the mosque of the celebrated saint are obliged to serve the guests, whether their numbers are in hundreds or in millions.
Al Hussein mosque during moulid (2018-12-30) by NawayaNawaya
The “big night”
The biggest moulids in Cairo are Al Hussien and Al Sayyeda Zainab, each attracting millions of followers that surround the two famous mosques and fill the streets around them for days leading up to the “big night”, the eve of the saint’s supposed birthday.
Woman frying bread (2018-07-18) by NawayaNawaya
Cooking at home
Some people, out of their benevolence, cook at home and come and distribute food to the poor, and to the visitors of the moulid.
Everyone's invited
Poor or rich, local or stranger you are invited into the decorative tents where cooking and serving food happens continuously as visitors are the guest of the saint, and need to be taken care of by his followers.
A full khedma “service”
Many locals prepare food and distribute it during the moulids. Some offer a full khedma “service” to the visitors. Some of the followers volunteer time, money and effort. Some even return from their work abroad, to be there for the guests of the moulid in their neighborhood.
Humain chain from cooking to serving (2018-07-18) by NawayaNawaya
Fool Nabet and Fattah
Fool Nabet, lentil soup, and fattah (Fattah is the flat bread soaked in broth and served with rice and meat) are some of the popular food offerings in moulids. Some moulids have their own signature food which are unique to their locations, such as Kebab abul Hagag, in moulid Abul Hagag in Luxor.
Bean stew
Bean stews are popular, served with rice, chicken and bread are filling meals offered in the service tents. People serving are extremely organized and can work at the moulid for days on end.
Fried dough dessert (2018-07-18) by NawayaNawaya
Sweet pastries
Young people help their family members and set up sands serving sweet fried pastries.
A seat at the table
While the food is a big part of the Moulid, not everyone who attends will eat. For example, choosing to attend but donating and ensuring those who need are those who get fed first. Communal seating is set up, and people arrive early enough to find a free chair amongst the large crowds.
Pouring drinks in the streets (2019-11-18) by NawayaNawaya
Proud to be part of it
Some people are very dedicated, and will take time of work, studies or family responsibilities to be part of the moulid. To serve in the moulid is something to be especially proud of the people who serve and the spirit of those who attend make moulids alive with culture that is humbling and charitable.
Curator: Laura Tabet
Research: Dalia Basiouny
Photography: Ahmed Dream
