In a Damascus café steeped in centuries of tradition, the art of storytelling, known as hakawati, continues to draw crowds during the holy month of Ramadan. Mقهى النوفرة (al-Nawfara café), a landmark in the Syrian capital, has maintained the practice of hosting a hakawati for over 100 years, according to those who run it.
The café, located in the al-Nawfara neighborhood near the Umayyad Mosque, has become a destination for those seeking a connection to Syria’s cultural heritage. “The hakawati is a popular figure who historically enjoyed great renown,” according to a recent social media post from AJA Syria. The storyteller draws from historical tales and popular epics, captivating audiences of all ages.
Muhammad Yamen al-Rib’at, the café’s owner, describes the hakawati as a modern-day equivalent of television, offering entertainment and a shared cultural experience. “The café has preserved the tradition of the hakawati as a renewed historical legacy, especially during the nights of Ramadan,” al-Rib’at stated, as reported by Sana, the Syrian Arab News Agency. He emphasized the importance of preserving this tradition as a living document of collective memory and a bridge connecting younger generations to their cultural roots.
Mقهى النوفرة, which translates to “the fountain café,” derives its name from a fountain that once flowed nearby, reaching a height of 4 to 5 meters. The fountain ceased operating when the river that fed it, known as “Nahr Yazid,” dried up approximately 50 years ago. The café itself is over 500 years old, with an interior seating capacity of 24 people and an additional 12 seats outdoors, according to Wikipedia.
The tradition of hakawati in Syrian coffee houses faced a challenge with the introduction and widespread adoption of television in the 1960s. Many cafés replaced storytellers with television sets, but المقهى النوفرة remained an exception, steadfastly maintaining the tradition. The café continues to attract not only locals but also tourists and foreigners eager to experience a unique aspect of Syrian culture.
The resurgence of interest in the hakawati at المقهى النوفرة is seen by many as a way to revitalize traditional values and strengthen Syrian identity. Attendees have noted the storyteller’s role in reviving heritage and promoting authenticity, according to Sana.
