This is the hour of discussion, of the narghile and the chewing of qat. Women have their own gatherings, known as tafrita, and both sexes always meet in different houses. Before the women enter the room they remove the black sharshaf, and their colourful and sometimes elaborately embroidered dresses can be seen once more. On formal occasions, such as the birth of a child or a wedding, the women enjoy wearing gold and sweets are handed round, accompanied by cups of hot tea or qishr. Some smoke the narghile and others chew the bundles of qat they have brought with them.
Lively conversation is conducted in a very sisterly atmosphere which knows no taboos.
Intimate details of family life are also discussed freely. Even foreign women are soon accepted into the circle and asked about their own family life, just as if they were old friends. The sunset prayer, al maghrib, usually marks the end of the tafrita, and the women go home to prepare a simple evening meal. This meal is similar to breakfast, consisting of foul or eggs with tomatoes Large amounts are not generally eaten, as qat has a strong inhibiting effect on the appetite. The sun sets relatively quickly, and as soon as twilight has given way to the dark night sky the muezzins raise the call for the fifth and final prayer of the day, al isha.