By: Yomna Walid
As Ramadan draws to a close, one of the season&rsquo;s most cherished traditions quietly fades from the streets. The Mesaharati is the drummer who walks neighbourhoods at night, waking families for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and keeping a centuries-old tradition alive.
For thirty nights, this historic figure weaves through sleeping streets, beating a drum, or sometimes playing a flute, chanting hymns and calling out names. The role blends devotion, community spirit, and the rhythm of Ramadan heritage.
Some trace the tradition back to the time of Prophet Muhammad when Bilal bin Rabah would wake people for suhoor. Others link it to the Fatimid era in Egypt. Regardless of its origins, the Mesaharati remains a beloved symbol of Ramadan across neighbourhoods.
<a href="https://ibb.co/jkx3S3m6"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/b5yNkNTW/Be-Funky-collage3-2026-03-15-T122658-323.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collage3-2026-03-15-T122658-323" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
A Family Tradition Passed Down
Sayed Mahmoud Ismail from Al-Sharqia is one of Egypt&rsquo;s long-serving Mesaharatis. His family has carried the tradition for generations.
&ldquo;My name is Sayed Mahmoud Ismail, from Al-Sharqia. The profession of the Mesaharati is hereditary in my family, passed down from my grandfather to my father, and now I pass it to my children. I hold a bachelor's degree in education, Social Service Department, and I am 42 years old. I have been working as a Mesaharati for more than 20 years,&rdquo; he says.
&ldquo;The whole family has been involved in Mesaharati for a long time. When my son grew up, I wanted to give him a break, so I would go in his place. We inherited the profession together with my siblings.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The first night in the street is full of joy and happiness. The joy of Ramadan is completed with the Mesaharati walking through the streets. When I perform the suhoor rounds, I feel as if Ramadan has come again in all its celebrations, drums, and excitement. It is a feeling of disappearing from the world for a year, fully immersed in the streets.&rdquo;
Keeping the Tradition Alive in Modern Times
&ldquo;Back in the day, there was no electricity and everything was dark. Today, there are lanterns. Back then, the lanterns were made of wax. Ramadan today is different. It is more modern, and children want to hit the drum and participate,&rdquo; Sayed says with a smile.
He explains the essence of the tradition. &ldquo;The secrets of this tradition are rooted in loving people. I love people, and they love me. When a child becomes attached to me, and later has children of their own, they tell them, &lsquo;I grew up with him; he used to walk with me during suhoor.&rsquo;&rdquo;
The role comes with challenges. Families sometimes request specific names to be called, which can be difficult to remember. Others go to sleep early because of work, asking him to wait and make sure they are awake.
&ldquo;The hardest night is the last night. The joy of the children, the drumbeats. It feels like saying goodbye. And if it rains or there is a power outage, I must walk with great effort. People still remember my grandfather and father, and they love us, my children and me. The last night is the hardest because I wonder will I be here next year and will the people still be there.&rdquo;
Advice for the Next Generation
Sayed says the tradition is not just about drumming but about connection and care.
&ldquo;The most important thing is to love people. No child should feel hurt if they want to participate. Everyone should be given their chance, with manners and respect. If someone wants their name to be called, do it.&rdquo;
He adds, &ldquo;I watch the dawn and go out before Fajr. One of the challenges we faced was during COVID-19. We decided not to go out for one year, but people came to the house, insisting we perform the suhoor rounds. It is Ramadan.&rdquo;
A History That Resonates Today
The Mesaharati tradition dates back centuries. Historical accounts mention Otbat Bin Ishaq, an Abbasid-era administrator in Egypt, who reportedly walked through Cairo at night to remind people of the approaching suhoor.
Later, during the Fatimid caliphate, the ruler Al-Hakim Bi Amrillah encouraged people to sleep early after Taraweeh prayers. Military officers were tasked with waking residents by knocking on doors.
Over time, rulers began appointing individuals specifically for the role. Known as Mesaharatis, they would walk through towns and cities, tapping doors with sticks or beating drums to wake households, turning quiet streets into a rhythm of Ramadan tradition.
Photo Credits: Freepik; featured image by Sayed Mahmoud Ismail
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