Darnah: What does it mean?

Muscat: As the holy month of Ramadhan approaches, Omani families prepare to observe Darnah, a long-established tradition linked closely to food, family gatherings and readiness for fasting.

Held on the night preceding the first day of Ramadhan, Darnah centres on the preparation of generous meals and traditional sweets, bringing relatives together around tables filled with popular Omani dishes. The occasion symbolises a transition from everyday routine to the spiritual discipline of the fasting month.

Across many households, kitchens are busy as families prepare a variety of dishes, some of which are shared with neighbours and extended family members. This exchange reflects enduring values of generosity, cooperation and social solidarity.

Darnah also carries practical importance, as advance food preparation helps ease the physical demands of the first days of fasting. Elders often supervise the process, ensuring that culinary traditions and customs are passed down to younger generations.

For children, Darnah is an especially memorable occasion, offering a sense of excitement and an early connection to Ramadhan customs and Omani cultural identity.

Despite modern lifestyles and changing routines, Darnah continues to hold a special place in Omani society, remaining a meaningful expression of how food, family and faith come together on the eve of the holy month.