Qatari folklore
The second version represents a less fanciful depiction of Bū Daryā and contains more elements pertaining to the unknown dangers awaiting in unexplored and undocumented areas of the open sea.
[20] In the distant past, certain tribes and individuals in the Arabian Peninsula have been accused of consuming human meat, primarily in times of famine, serving as a foundation for some of these folktales.
Supernatural elements play a role in the tale, with voices from Sorour's deceased mother in the cemetery and a talking cat providing the revelation about the consumed flesh.
The story also highlights themes of revenge and kinship, with the stepmother's act of cooking and serving the boy's flesh to his father and guests representing a severe breach of familial and social norms while also emphasizing the extreme lengths taken in the pursuit of vengeance.
[19] Common structures can be observed in Qatari folktales; with most tales starting with a basic demand, escalating to trials and tribulations, and ending with punishment and/or rewards.
[19] Hamad and Hamda is a story about two starving orphan siblings who set out on a journey to find a wealthy philanthropic Sultan who they believe can help alleviate their dire straits.
As the jinn is asleep, a miracle occurs as a ring worn by Hamad is revealed to have magic powers upon contact with the well wall and conjures an out-stretched snake for the children to climb and escape.
The protagonist is sent on an errand by his wife to collect the anzarūṭ shrub (Astragalus sarcocolla dymock),[38] a dry herb prized in the Middle East for its medicinal uses, particularly in treating gastroenteritis.
His incessant muttering of the phrase "two big, two small" deeply offended the grieving family, causing one of them to strike him upon the head and ask him to repeat "May God have patience and reward you" instead.
[40] Classified as a witticism, the moral of this story is intended to inform listeners to be conscientious of their speech and to recognize that the setting of a social situation and the timing of an utterance are critical factors in determining the appropriateness of what is said.
Recognizing the girl's role in the healing process, palace officials persuade Fattoum to reveal her whereabouts, leading to her reunion with the ruler's son and subsequent marriage.
[17] This Qatari folktale, told by Khalifa Al Sayed and translated by Tariq Ahmed, narrates the story of a devout Sunni man, who was not particularly wealthy or influential, who inherited a large estate and purchased a grand ship named Saphar.
The Sunni, upon learning of his friend's misfortune, remarked, "Indeed, he who digs a pit for his brother often falls into it", highlighting the moral lesson of the story about the consequences of deceit and envy.
Examples of these include: Qatari ibn al-Fuja'a, a seventh-century war poet who was born in modern-day northern Qatar, is revered as a folk hero in the country.
[52] Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, often referred to as "The Founder", is a prominent folkloric figure, particularly due to his military achievements, his charitable donations and his promotion of Islam.
The feast features a variety of dishes, notably grilled and fried fish, rice cooked with date extract, and tharid—a meal combining crumbled bread, meat, and broth.
[53] A custom once found all over the Middle East, al-musaharati roamed the farjan (neighborhoods) during the month of Ramadan, beating his drum to wake people up for suhoor, the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting.
[60] During this ceremonial sacrifice, the girls dress in traditional attire, such as the al bakhnaq embroidered with zari thread, and perform songs specific to the occasion, such as praying to God to make their Eid joyous and for the safe return of pilgrims from Hajj.
Among these, funeral prayers were often recited for individuals believed to harbor envy, accompanied by actions like discreetly sprinkling salt behind their backs to counteract their negative influence.
[63] Cautionary tales advised against gazing directly at lightning to prevent blindness, while the arrangement of shoes in a reversed position was avoided due to its perceived disrespect towards God.
Other taboos included sweeping floors at night, as this would disturb potential jinn residing in homes, and biting one's tongue during meals, as this was interpreted as an ominous sign of impending bad luck.
[63] Old Bedouin tales caution against using the branches of the Arabian boxwood (Lycium shawii) shrub for firewood as they are thought to harbor the spirits of entrapped jinn.
Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Thani, a state official during the 1930s and member of the ruling family of Qatar, was noted for his curing of illnesses by using cauterization.
Locusts were also venerated for their purported healing abilities in local nomadic culture and were considered a delicacy because of their nutritious properties, leading to their additional use as livestock feed.
[69] Foreigners constitute 85% to 90% of Qatar's population of 2.7 million, with migrant workers making up approximately 95% of the workforce, most of whom come from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and live in labor camps.
[80] One prominent urban legend involves a young South Asian foreign worker who, after socializing on a Thursday night, was allegedly abducted by four Qatari women in a white Toyota Land Cruiser.
[80] The story evolved with added details such as body parts found in refrigerators and human fingers appearing in X-rays, and it even featured in local newspapers, such as Al Sharq.
This tale, which spread rapidly among the labor camps, led many workers to visit the zoo, hoping to see the mythical creature, with some even believing the snake was a reincarnation of Shesha, a Hindu serpent god.
[80] A fourth legend revolves around an abandoned villa in Al Khor, where a female Indian domestic worker was supposedly sexually assaulted and murdered by her Qatari employer.
The story includes elements of the paranormal, with reports of strange noises, disappearing furniture, and sightings of a ghostly woman in white who causes illness to those who encounter her.
