KARACHI:
In the days of yore, Eid used to be a mega event. The festivities used to be sprightly: families crowding market places, girls excitedly buying colourful bangles and rushing to beauty parlours while boys making plans for gatherings. Every generation has fond memories of celebrating Eid with their traditional spirits.
However, due to the advancement of technology and changing social dynamics, these festivities are now fading. As families have scattered across the globe, traditional family reunions are replaced by group video calls. With geographical distances separating our loved ones, although the bonds of kinship remain unbroken, Eid celebrations have become bland. Moreover, especially after the Covid-19 era, youngsters have become confined to their social media bubbles, thereby waning the desire to spend time with family and relatives — they’d rather chat with a friend or find some other way to kill boredom on Eid. Text messages and digital cards have replaced the customary ritual of exchanging handmade Eid cards making it a nostalgic memory for all. Furthermore, the tradition of exchanging Eidi is becoming obsolete, while interestingly, technology once again interferes and we find people giving Eidi in the form of bank transfers.
It is sad how the new generation shows less to no excitement for Eid. They treat these holidays as a break from work or studies and immerse themselves in video games or Netflix. The perceptions of what is considered ‘cool’ has transformed, for instance, the application of henna on hands, or children collecting Eidi in their Eidi bags or Eid gatherings. As we try to traverse in the post-pandemic landscape, we need to counterbalance embracing the technologically advanced lifestyle and preserving the dwindling cultural practices. In the rapidly changing world, Eid must remain a well-preserved tradition to cherish for the generations to come.
Soha Jamshed
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2024.
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