"Somalis build "fruit roofs" during Succoth"

October 9th is the sixth day of the Succoth holiday in Somalia. This is a holiday full of fruit aromas and colors. During Succoth they commemorate the ancient Israelites who lived in huts and wandered in the wilderness for forty years after leaving Egypt. It is a common festival for Jews and Somalians, but both groups have different customs. This year's Succoth started on October 5th.

Jews usually build up large and small huts in their garden or on their balcony before sunset of the 4th day. On top of the huts they place twigs of dates and coconut palms, while in the huts, they stuff 4 kinds of plants: twigs from coconuts and dates, guava twigs, willow twigs and grapefruit. They also decorate it with various kinds of floral ribbons. Children can eat food inside of the huts, but also play games and enjoy themselves. In contrast to the Jews, the Somali huts are set up indoors. Their most outstanding characteristics are their roofs, which are decorated with hundreds of kilograms of pomegranates, lemons, grapefruit and other fruits. Their huts are very beautiful.