Khaberni - Qatayef is more than just a delicious dessert adorning Ramadan tables; it represents a part of a rich cultural history reflecting various eras. This dessert is deeply rooted in Arab heritage and is closely associated with the month of Ramadan.
There are various narratives about the origin of Qatayef, with some sources indicating that it dates back to the Umayyad era, and it might have originated before Kunafa.
It is said that its invention dates back to the late Umayyad period or the beginning of the Abbasid era, where it was a popular dessert at that time.
Other narratives also suggest it could have originated during the Fatimid era.
The Reason Behind the Name
Qatayef emerged as a stuffed dessert with nuts, attractively designed so that guests could pluck it directly at social events, hence its name was derived.
Its origin and invention date back to a period similar to that of Kunafa, and it is believed to be older than Kunafa, dating back to the late Umayyad and early Abbasid periods.
It is also said that the history of its creation dates back to the Mamluk period, where dessert makers competed to offer the best, and one of them invented a pie stuffed with nuts, presenting it beautifully for guests to pick.
Qatayef and Poetry
It was celebrated by the poets of the Umayyad period and afterwards, such as Ibn al-Rumi, who was known for his love of Kunafa and Qatayef, and Abu al-Hussein al-Jazzar, who expressed his passion for them in Arabic poetry during the Umayyad state.
Interestingly, Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti wrote a treatise titled “Minhal al-Lataif fi al-Kunafah wa al-Qatayef” when the prices of these sweets rose in the tenth Hijri century, and Egyptians humorously complained to the market inspector.
Thus, the narratives about the origin of Qatayef vary, and there is no single narrative agreed upon historically, but they range between the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid eras. The first narrative indicates that the Caliph Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik al-Umayyad was the first to consume it during Ramadan in the year 98 AH.
Qatayef in Andalusia
Another narrative suggests that the Andalusians were the first to invent Qatayef, and it spread in cities like Granada and Seville.
This small pie stuffed with nuts then moved to the eastern Arab countries during Islamic rule and developed over the years to become one of the most prominent customs associated with the month of Ramadan for Egyptians and most Arab countries.
In conclusion, the narratives agree on a scene during Ramadan nights where people gather around the Qatayef seller, watching him as he pours the batter on the hot griddle. The Qatayef cook in front of them, and children race to grab them, eating them "hot" right after they come out of the maker's hand, without waiting for them to be stuffed or cooked.
