Description of Challenge
Illumination, children's toy, decoration and source of income.A lantern was traditionally a tool for nightime illumination. It developed into a children's toy and decoration. The lantern is linked to Muslim fasting in the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt.
Solution
The Ramadan lantern became famous in Egypt during the Fatimid rule. Since this period the manufacture of the Ramadan lantern has become a famous handicraft in Egypt.
There are many categories of craftsmen connected to this tradition, which represents to them a source of income. Though the lantern is considered to be a seasonal toy and decoration craft, it takes months for craftsmen to produce the lanterns to be ready for kids and also for decoration before the holy month of Ramadan.
The manufacture of the lantern involves:
1)Preparing the tin body of the lantern.
2)Preparing, painting and ornamenting the glass.
3)Lantern assembly.
The lantern has various traditional shapes and designs but craftsmen use their own talents and imagination in its ornamenting. Unfortunately this traditional craft, which is also a source of income for various craftsmen, is endangered by the importing of Chinese made plastic lanterns that also deplete foreign currency and endanger a traditional craft.
Through the ecovillage movement it is possible to encourage such types of traditional crafts. It is also important to transmit this traditional craftmaking from the elders to youth for the preservation of culture and the generation of revenue.
