Iraqis celebrate Ramadan with centuries-old 'Sini Envelope' games in Kirkuk
Locals in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk celebrated Ramadan on Tuesday with a traditional game known colloquially as 'Sini Envelope', which involves hidden dice and a spinning tray.
Footage shows people gathering to enjoy the game after Iftar meals while others are seen dancing and celebrating into the night.
Sini Envelope has a deep cultural history in northern Iraq and is normally played in teahouses or parks. Two teams of 15 compete with only three players participating in each round. The tradition is shared by the region’s three major ethnicities, the Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen.
One team hides the dice under one of 11 copper cups placed on a round tray, the opposing team then has two attempts to find the dice.
The tray symbolizes the year, while the cup represents the months with a missing 12th cup representing the holy month of Ramadan.
During the competition, traditional food, sweets, and beverages are served accompanied by folk songs and dance.
Iraqis celebrate Ramadan with centuries-old 'Sini Envelope' games in Kirkuk
Locals in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk celebrated Ramadan on Tuesday with a traditional game known colloquially as 'Sini Envelope', which involves hidden dice and a spinning tray.
Footage shows people gathering to enjoy the game after Iftar meals while others are seen dancing and celebrating into the night.
Sini Envelope has a deep cultural history in northern Iraq and is normally played in teahouses or parks. Two teams of 15 compete with only three players participating in each round. The tradition is shared by the region’s three major ethnicities, the Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen.
One team hides the dice under one of 11 copper cups placed on a round tray, the opposing team then has two attempts to find the dice.
The tray symbolizes the year, while the cup represents the months with a missing 12th cup representing the holy month of Ramadan.
During the competition, traditional food, sweets, and beverages are served accompanied by folk songs and dance.
Iraqis celebrate Ramadan with centuries-old 'Sini Envelope' games in Kirkuk
Locals in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk celebrated Ramadan on Tuesday with a traditional game known colloquially as 'Sini Envelope', which involves hidden dice and a spinning tray.
Footage shows people gathering to enjoy the game after Iftar meals while others are seen dancing and celebrating into the night.
Sini Envelope has a deep cultural history in northern Iraq and is normally played in teahouses or parks. Two teams of 15 compete with only three players participating in each round. The tradition is shared by the region’s three major ethnicities, the Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen.
One team hides the dice under one of 11 copper cups placed on a round tray, the opposing team then has two attempts to find the dice.
The tray symbolizes the year, while the cup represents the months with a missing 12th cup representing the holy month of Ramadan.
During the competition, traditional food, sweets, and beverages are served accompanied by folk songs and dance.