Taht el-Rab’ — Ramadan lantern hub

Since the Fatimid era (909-1171 AD), Taht el-Rab’ street has been famous as the most important commercial area in Cairo. This area is known for the trade in Ramadan lanterns.

Despite the many developments and modernisations that the street has undergone, it still retains its unique historical features.

Located in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar neighbourhood, Taht el-Rab’ stretches from the previous headquarters of the Cairo Security Directorate and ends at Bab Zuweila.

Taht el-Rab’ is flanked by shops displaying a variety of Ramadan lanterns.

Gamal Abdel Rahim, Professor of Archaeology and Islamic Arts at Cairo University, told the Egyptian Mail that Taht el Rab’ means small houses for the poor.

“During the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, the traders and rich people lived in palaces and villas while the poor were living in a rab’. It resembles a school with classes which share one bathroom,” he said.

He added that Taht el-Rab’ was an extension of the city of Qata’i, a short-lived Tulunid capital of Egypt, founded by Ahmad ibn Tulun in 868.

The first capital of Egypt under Muslim rule was el Fustat built by Amr ibn al-Aas in 641 AD. The second capital was Al-‘Askar from 750-868 AD during the time of the Abbasids. The third was el-Qata’i and the fourth capital became Fatimid Cairo founded by al-Muizz li-Din Allah in 969.

Bab Zuweila is the start border of Fatimid Cairo. Taht el Rab’ dates back to the Tulunid period before the establishment of Cairo by the Fatimids.

Following the July 23 revolution in 1952 that toppled the monarchy, the street’s name was changed to Ahmed Maher, after the prime minister of Egypt from 10 October 1944 to 24 February 1945.

“Bab Zuweila is the only of Cairo’s eight gates that leads to the poor district. The poor dwelled in Fustat, Al-‘Askar  and El-Qata’i. In religious ceremonies, the Fatimid caliph went to them via Bab Zuweila and celebrated with them. People awaited him and held lanterns, as this district was known as a hub for lantern industry in Egypt, where the craftsmen manufactured and stored lanterns until the month of Ramadan came,” he said.

When visiting today’s Taht el-Rabi’, the visitor sees many shops hanging beautiful lanterns and other Ramadan decorations.

Here are lanterns made of copper in different sizes in addition to coloured glass with a wooden base to place the candle in.

There are also lanterns made of metal, and wood in addition to plastic, battery-operated ones and electric lanterns with songs.

In addition to toys of the most popular Ramadan characters that are loved by children and old people alike such as Bogy & Tamtam, Bakar and Fnanes.