By The Daily Star Egypt staff Today, Egypt and the Muslim world celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed - Al Mulid Al Nabawi - according to the lunar calendar. And like most Islamic holidays, this mulid features its own wealth of traditions, cuisine and candies. Halawit al mulid (mulid candies) are exhibited under large colorful tents which are pitched in almost every district in Cairo and include guz al hind (coconut), semsemia (sesame candy), fulia (peanuts), dumia and others such as fakfakhina, meshabeck and ladida. But this year, things are different. The insatiable interest in the candy dolls and horses that have since time immemorial attracted kids of all ages during that season may wane because they are no longer being made with sugar but with plastic and metal. Their prices range between LE 13 and LE 65, all depending on the toy's size and the gadget it is equipped with. They are dressed and decorated like a typical mulid doll but alas, they are not the ones we have known for decades. Haj Masud Mahmud, a fruit vendor, has voluntarily been offering these dolls in Maadi for the last 25 years. "Since the Mulid began to fall in spring and summer, many of the outlets are reluctant to sell the traditional dolls and horses, for not only do they melt but also break. We can't buy them anymore if there is a high risk of loss. Added Mahmud: "One time I was supplied 200 pieces that I displayed on the racks. Suddenly a cat jumped to get hold of a chicken bone that was left on one rack. The racks were shaken and almost all the dolls fell and smashed. Mahmud pointed out that the traditional candy dolls and horses could still be found in Bab Al Bahr near Ramses Square where most of the candy factories are located. There used to be scores of these factories but many have closed down. Only a few which supply quality candies continue to operate. "Of course, the foreigners prefer them to the plastic ones but experience showed that they are not that practical for the sellers as well as the buyers. Some used to spray them with insect-killers to protect them from the gatherings of hungry ants, but you can't always do that when they are meant as gifts for small kids. Mahmud explained that the idea behind the traditional mulid doll is simple: the sugar is melted and poured in its fluid form into wooden doll and horse-shaped molds. After adding other wholesome ingredients, the sugar is left until it solidifies. He noted: "But apart from the fragile nature of the resulting shapes, today the use of sugar is neither reliable nor cost-effective. Sometimes shortages of sugar might occur unexpectedly. At other times the available sugar is not so well-refined and with its brownish hue, you get dark dolls and horses; the quality mulid candy statues should shine with whiteness. Due to the changing days of the lunar calendar, this year's mulid follows quickly after Mother's Day when many have already spent part of their savings. "We're hoping there will be room in people's budgets for the mulid candy, Mahmud says.
