Fasting and feasting during Ramadan-ul-Moazzam - a cross-sectional Anthropological study of the Alavi Bohra Muslims migrated from Yemen to Western India

Abstract

The Yemeni migrants settled in the Vadodara city of Gujarat, India, is a minority community, and follows distinct customs and food patterns which need documentation. The present study aimed to assess the customs and culture of the Alavi Bohra community of Vadodara during using ethnographic research methodology.An ethnographic study was conducted engaging the royals, community leaders and at-Taiyebaat Committee members as the key informants and over 120 women of Alavi Bohra Community. Qualitataive research methodologies such as narratives, concept testing, direct observations, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to understand the ethnography of food and culture of Alavi Bohra Muslims which were supported by photographs of the Iftaar and Sehri, which are the major meals during the month of Distinct traditional practices such as celebration of in the eighth month by praying at night and use of (the holy soil from the battle ground of Karbala, Iraq) for breaking the fast were noted. The use of food items such as indicate a blend of Gujarati-Yemeni cuisines in their Though Alavi Bohra Muslims of Vadodara city have retained the Yemeni culture, as per the Alavi Misri calendar, this ethnographic research has highlighted that their food habits have a strong influence on the local cuisines of Gujarat.