Cairo is famous for Ramadan fanous lantern traditions.
A fanous is a decorative lantern associated especially with Ramadan in Egypt. The tradition is linked in popular accounts to Fatimid-era Cairo, where lanterns were used in nighttime celebrations and to accompany processions.
Modern fanous range from traditional metal-and-glass designs to brightly colored plastic lanterns with electric lights. Children often receive them as seasonal gifts, and streets, homes, and shops may display them throughout the month.
The lantern is a cultural Ramadan symbol, not a required religious object. Similar Ramadan decorations appear in many countries, but the Egyptian fanous tradition is particularly well known. Cairo, Egypt’s capital, is the city most closely associated with its historic popular culture.