Ahead of Ramadan, the Chinese lantern disappeared from the Egyptian market for the first time in years, while the Egyptian lanterns regained its luster, as streets and markets are filled with various colors and sizes to match all preferences of people preparing to welcome the fasting month in days.
The Egyptian lantern is made of a metal structure and stained glass, and in the past, there was a candle placed inside for light, but now it was replaced by a small colored bulb.
The domestic lantern is considered one of the most classic things across Egyptian history and among many generations, whose origins date back to the Fatimid era, where Egyptians used to carry lanterns and hang some of them to lighten the ways for those going to mosques at night to pray Tarawih.
By time, its industry became essential every year ahead of Ramadan month, and on which, a number of craftsmen and vendors count it as a profitable trade.
Obviously, there was no home that didn't have this lantern, but also there was one for every child, and other for older people. People were keen to buy a big lantern for the whole house, and one bigger for every neighborhood.
Friends and relatives used to exchange it as gifts, but also this very special thing about Egypt was transferred to the Arab people who got keen on buying Ramadan lanterns as well.
The lantern industry was almost damaged almost 15 years ago after traders started to import the Chinese plastic lantern that sings and performs moves as dances, and was based in its designs on cartoon figures and celebrities who children like, such as Sponge Bob or Inspector Krompo.
The strangest of them was featuring President Sisi in army uniforms and the famous football player Mohamed Salah lantern.
The disappearance of the Chinese lantern is due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in the world, which emerged in China, and hampered the import of many commodities, especially non-essential ones.
The lantern 2020 appears in new forms, including metallic in different sizes, or wooden, and Egyptians seemed to be keen enough to preserve the habit of possessing it, even in this very concerning moment.
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