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The traditional sugar dolls and figurines made in celebration of Prophet Mohamed's birthday have long become obsolete, replaced by modern-day plastic alternatives.

Only one sugar-making factory continues to mould the traditional arouset halawa (sugar dolls). Boulaq's "Imam and Refai", founded in 1920, boasts doll-makers who have inherited the craft from generations before them -- some of them in their 40th year at the factory.

(photo: Khaled El-Fiqi)