Heya Beya: Children learn joy of giving

Manama : Hundreds of children turned up on the seashores of Bahrain to enact the old habit of Heya Beya, as part of the Eid Al Adha celebrations.

In line with the tradition of marking the first lesson of sacrifice in their lives, Bahraini children dressed in traditional Bahraini attire were seen on different beaches and coasts of Bahrain throwing their cherished Heya Beya (plants or grass) into the sea while singing songs.

Annually, children inspired by traditional stories, plant seeds in small baskets made of date palm leaves, a few days prior to Eid Al Adha. They water them daily until they grow into a small plant.

On the eve of Eid, and as part of the Feast of Sacrifice, kids wear their best Bahraini clothes and join their friends, neighbours and family members on the seashore. As the sunset approaches the children start singing songs related to the occasion and throw their plant baskets into the sea.

The ritual is aimed at reviving the heritage of Bahrain and teaching the children to sacrifice something to which they became attached for some time at their homes. During the last few years, some children get ready-made Heya Beya baskets from the market.

To keep this heritage of Bahrain alive every year the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities organises a Heya Beya ceremony at one of the sea sides and invites children all across the Kingdom.

Some schools arrange trips for their students to the beaches to perform the ceremony of Heya Beya.