Morocco: the Ramadan crier, a tradition in danger?

In Morocco, during Ramadan, town criers take over the announcement of Eid al-Fitr. they play the role of ''alarm clock'' for the inhabitants of the capital's districts.

Naoufal Boukhriss is a town crier in this district of Rabat, the capital of Morocco. He plays a certain tune using an instrument resembling a trumpet

The Nafar according to the Moroccan name, travels the paths and alleys in the early hours of the morning, during the holy month of Ramadan in order to wake people up for the meal preceding the fast.

"I have inherited the work of Nafar since I worked at Zawiya, and I would like to continue this work during Ramadan, as well as pass it on to future generations. I am determined to maintain Nafar during Ramadan. Through this work, I obtain a great reward from God and people.”, explains Naoufal Boukhriss.

Strong in his conviction, the town crier takes particular interest in his profession and also in his work equipment. Particularly his trumpet.

“There is the Nafar that I brought with me. I examine it and wash it with hot water so that it is clean and has a good tone during Ramadan,” says the Nafar.

But this tradition is in danger. It is disappearing, a victim of the emergence of technology and the blossoming of urban areas.

“These young people who do it (Nafar) and maintain it are proof of our attachment to our tradition, to our history, and to our true religion too. We must give them importance so that the profession of Nafar does not go out,” explains Hassan El Fezouati, resident of the old medina of Rabat.

Boukhriss, in his role as Nafar usually wears a special set of traditional clothing before making his rounds in the old city.