Ramadan lamp
fanus
1978-1981 | Peter Wolfgang Schienerl
During Ramadan, night becomes day. The silhouettes of the mosques shine with neon light. All of Cairo is lit up. The ninth month of the Islamic moon calendar is a festival of lights. It is the time of fasting and of religious reflection, of commemorating that at this time the Koran was sent down to man. From sunrise to sunset, believers are called upon to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity. At sunset, the breaking of the fast is celebrated within the family circle with a lavish celebratory meal. Up until the final mealtime before sunrise, every house, mosque, and café is decorated with garish lamps. Afterwards, fasting begins again until evening. Individual objects which were once made of metal from tin cans and coloured glass have meanwhile been replaced by cheap plastic competitors "made in China".
During Ramadan, night becomes day. The silhouettes of the mosques shine with neon light. All of Cairo is lit up. The ninth month of the Islamic moon calendar is a festival of lights. It is the time of fasting and of religious reflection, of commemorating that at this time the Koran was sent down to man. From sunrise to sunset, believers are called upon to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity. At sunset, the breaking of the fast is celebrated within the family circle with a lavish celebratory meal. Up until the final mealtime before sunrise, every house, mosque, and café is decorated with garish lamps. Afterwards, fasting begins again until evening. Individual objects which were once made of metal from tin cans and coloured glass have meanwhile been replaced by cheap plastic competitors "made in China".
Collector:
Peter Wolfgang Schienerl (1940 Wien - 2001 München) DNB
Time:
1978-1981
Entry Date:
1982
Object Name
Lamp
Culture
Egypt, Cairo
Material/technology:
Aluminium sheet, glass
Dimensions:
H. 35 cm, W. 38 cm, D. 28 cm
Copyright
Weltmuseum Wien
Collection area
North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and Siberia
Invs.
164301
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