03:03During the Eid al-Fitr festivities in the Syrian capital of Damascus, residents partake in a cherished tradition by visiting the city's historic public baths at dawn on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Wednesday.
Footage captures locals at the 'Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir' public bath, relaxing in the ancient Deewan hall, enjoying a cup of tea post-bathing, and some even getting haircuts before making their way to the nearby Umayyad Mosque for Eid prayers.
Bassam Kabbab, the manager of Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir, emphasised the significance of this tradition. noting that regardless of circumstances, people uphold the tradition of the Eid bath on the eve of the holiday.
"We also have the most important tradition among the people of the country, which is the Eid bath. Regardless of the circumstances, they must go to the market bath on the day of Eid's eve. Many people still maintain this tradition," he explained.
He also added that the bathing ritual holds great importance for Damascenes.
"For the market bath, it's generally one of the important rituals for Damascenes. Among the bath rituals, for example, we have the groom's bath, the women's bath, the bride's bath, and the postpartum bath. In the past, people used to gather in the bathhouse just as they gather in cafes, hosting gatherings and reconciliations, and all the neighbourhood meetings," he added.
Syria's public baths are considered one of the main landmarks in the country, as they were designed by the best Arab architects during the Umayyads and the Abbasids eras.
'The most important tradition' - Damascus residents visit historic public baths during Eid al-Fitr celebrations
During the Eid al-Fitr festivities in the Syrian capital of Damascus, residents partake in a cherished tradition by visiting the city's historic public baths at dawn on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Wednesday.
Footage captures locals at the 'Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir' public bath, relaxing in the ancient Deewan hall, enjoying a cup of tea post-bathing, and some even getting haircuts before making their way to the nearby Umayyad Mosque for Eid prayers.
Bassam Kabbab, the manager of Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir, emphasised the significance of this tradition. noting that regardless of circumstances, people uphold the tradition of the Eid bath on the eve of the holiday.
"We also have the most important tradition among the people of the country, which is the Eid bath. Regardless of the circumstances, they must go to the market bath on the day of Eid's eve. Many people still maintain this tradition," he explained.
He also added that the bathing ritual holds great importance for Damascenes.
"For the market bath, it's generally one of the important rituals for Damascenes. Among the bath rituals, for example, we have the groom's bath, the women's bath, the bride's bath, and the postpartum bath. In the past, people used to gather in the bathhouse just as they gather in cafes, hosting gatherings and reconciliations, and all the neighbourhood meetings," he added.
Syria's public baths are considered one of the main landmarks in the country, as they were designed by the best Arab architects during the Umayyads and the Abbasids eras.
During the Eid al-Fitr festivities in the Syrian capital of Damascus, residents partake in a cherished tradition by visiting the city's historic public baths at dawn on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Wednesday.
Footage captures locals at the 'Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir' public bath, relaxing in the ancient Deewan hall, enjoying a cup of tea post-bathing, and some even getting haircuts before making their way to the nearby Umayyad Mosque for Eid prayers.
Bassam Kabbab, the manager of Hammam al-Malik al-Zahir, emphasised the significance of this tradition. noting that regardless of circumstances, people uphold the tradition of the Eid bath on the eve of the holiday.
"We also have the most important tradition among the people of the country, which is the Eid bath. Regardless of the circumstances, they must go to the market bath on the day of Eid's eve. Many people still maintain this tradition," he explained.
He also added that the bathing ritual holds great importance for Damascenes.
"For the market bath, it's generally one of the important rituals for Damascenes. Among the bath rituals, for example, we have the groom's bath, the women's bath, the bride's bath, and the postpartum bath. In the past, people used to gather in the bathhouse just as they gather in cafes, hosting gatherings and reconciliations, and all the neighbourhood meetings," he added.
Syria's public baths are considered one of the main landmarks in the country, as they were designed by the best Arab architects during the Umayyads and the Abbasids eras.