The culture of the United Arab Emirates is part of the culture of Eastern Arabia. [1] Its historical population was a small tribal community that changed with the arrival of an influx of foreign nationals in the mid-20th century. [2] Emirati culture is a blend of Arabian, Islamic, and Persian cultures, with influences from the cultures of East Africa and Indian Subcontinent. [3] Islam has had a prominent influence on local architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle. [4]
In the United Arab Emirates, the city of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [5] The Emirate of Sharjah was named "The Cultural capital of the Arab World" by UNESCO in 1998 and the "Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014" by the OIC. [6]
Artifacts uncovered in the UAE show a history of human habitation, transmigration, and trade spanning over 125,000 years. [7] The area was previously home to the Magan people [8] known to the Sumerians, who traded with both coastal towns and bronze miners and smelters from the interior. A rich history of trade with the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley is also evidenced by finds of jewelry and other items and there is also extensive early evidence of trade with Bactria [9] as well as the Levant. [10]
The UAE's official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken due to the country's diverse nature and economic globalization. [11] [12] [13] Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and Mandarin are also widely spoken by expatriates from Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China. [14] [15] [16]
Native Emirati nationals speak the Gulf Arabic, which is similar to that spoken in other GCC countries and Iraq. [12] [17] [18]
The first name is followed by “bin” or “bint,” which means ‘son of’ or ‘daughter of’, respectively, and the name of the father is followed by the family name. [14]
After marriage, women retain their family names, and children take the name of the father. [19]
The United Arab Emirates' architecture is influenced by Islamic architecture and Arabian architecture. [20] For example, the "barjeel" has become an identifying mark of traditional Emirati architecture and is attributed to Persian influence. [3]
Emirati architecture reflects the traditional lifestyles and customs of the people. Building materials are simple but well-adapted to local living and climate. For migrant tribes, portable tents traditionally provided shelter during the winter season. Inland, more permanent houses were built of stone guss with roofs made from palm tree leaves. Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj or a seashell-derived lime mixture, and plastered with chalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions. [21]
A courtyard architectural layout was commonly seen in the vernacular architecture of the UAE such as houses, schools, mosques, and governmental buildings. The courtyard was a thermal regulator in hot and humid weather but also had privacy functionality. Privacy and ventilation are important components in traditional architecture of the UAE. [21]
Many Emirati men and women prefer traditional Emirati clothes; the Kandura and Abaya. [22]
Traditional clothing is designed for comfort in high temperatures and to keep with the Islamic religious beliefs in the country. Clothing that cover more parts of the body from the sunlight is preferred. [23] [24] Ballgowns are common in this area. Ballgowns are commonly adorned with silver and gold. [25]
Colourful embroidered dressing is common during occasions such as weddings or dancing. A common dance in the Gulf Arab countries is the Khaleeji folk dance which entails rows of women in close proximity to one another who move in a slow fashion while rhythmically swaying their hair from side to side. The dress is an important aspect of this dance. [26]
The Emirati diet is a mixture of a Bedouin diet (meat and camel milk), a fishermen's diet (fish), and a farmer's diet (dates). These foods, along with key spices, such as cinnamon, saffron, and turmeric, form the basis of both historical and modern Emirati cuisine. [27]
Vegetables that are easy to grow, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, are featured prominently in the diet. Dried lemons, called loomi, are grown locally and used in numerous dishes. Mangoes are also grown in the northern emirates. Meats traditionally used include chicken or small fowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. Since camels are highly prized for milk and as a means of transportation, camel meat is normally reserved for special occasions.
Muslims do not eat bacon, ham or pork, and they do not drink alcoholic beverages. [28] [29]
Popular dishes include harees, fouga, kabsa and luqemat. Common Middle Eastern cuisine is also widely available. Due to the cosmopolitan nature of the United Arab Emirates, the most popular street-side snack is the Middle-Eastern shawarma . [30]
One of the best national dishes is stuffed camel cooked slowly over a pit of burning charcoal. [29] Harees is also a national specialty; it is a porridge-like dish often served in Ramadan or during large celebrations like weddings. It is made with wheat, meat (or chicken) and salted water. [31]
When entering a Majlis, guests will start greeting individuals from the right side to the left side of the room, unless there is an elderly guests, who should be greeted first. For men, the traditional Emirati greeting is the khushmak, or touching of the noses. Women greet each other by shaking hands and giving a kiss on the cheek. Kissing the top of the head is also a common way of greeting in the UAE. [32] Members of the opposite gender should not embrace unless they are closely related. [14]
After greeting guests, the host serves Emirati Coffee to the guests starting from the right side of the room and moving their way to the left of the room, it is also common for the host to serve the elderly guests first or an important guest in the room. It is also part of the Emirati social custom for the person serving coffee to hold the coffee pot "dallah" in their left hand and serve the coffee cup to the guest using their right hand. In a male gathering, the person serving the coffee will remain standing until the guest shakes their coffee cup to indicate that they do not want a refill, while in a female gathering, the woman serving the coffee is allowed to sit while serving others coffee. Less than half the coffee cup should be filled and the coffee being served should be hot to indicate to the guest that the coffee was specially made for them. For the guests, the coffee cup is taken with their right hand and given back using their right hand once done. [32]
Based on their educational backgrounds and historical environment, Emirati poetry is divided into three main periods. Initially, the generation that emerged in the early 1900s did not have any official education, but they made significant contributions to Emirati literature, especially in the style of Arabic poetry known as qaṣīdah. However, because of the lack of resources and printing skills available at the time, a large portion of their labor is still undocumented. Second, as the UAE's population moved from rural to urban areas in the middle of the 20th century, their literary expressions also changed. Finally, a golden age of Emirati poets is represented by the post-oil, modern generation, who were primarily educated at universities. [33] Themes in Emirati poetry are diverse, ranging from satire, self-praise, and patriotism, to chivalry, religion, family, and love. [34] [35] [36]
Of all the literary forms, dramatic literature seems to be the least popular among Emiratis. Like poetry, there are two main genres that Emirati drama falls into. The first category, popular drama, may only appeal to Emirati readers because it is written in the Emirati dialect. On the other hand, Tawfiq al-Hakim, an Egyptian playwright, set the blueprint for the second category, which is known as intellectual drama. Because they are written in standard Arabic, these dramatic works are accessible to a wider readership. Both types of Emirati drama add distinctive viewpoints and creative expressions to the UAE's cultural scene, despite their difficulties in gaining general recognition. [33]
The Arabic short tales first became popular in the United Arab Emirates in the late 1960s and early 1970s when a few young Emiratis started distributing their works to a particular readership. The first efforts toward the creation of Emirati literature were made during this time, laying the groundwork for further expansion. Journalism was crucial in developing Emirati writing in the 1970s and 80s, especially in the field of short tales, as newspapers and magazines offered spaces for publishing and promoting these works. [33]
Among Emiratis, the novel is the kind of fiction literature that is least popular.As most literary critics and pundits have long speculated, Emirati novel's sluggish evolution can be linked to the fact that it is typically longer than other modern literary genres and far more intricate and challenging to write. [33] The first Emirati novel, Shahenda, was written by Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi. [37]
The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Arab khaleeji tradition. Yowlah, a type of music and dance also known as Al-Ayyala, has been registered by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. [38] One of the UAE's most famous traditional singers is Mehad Hamad, who is known for singing patriotic lyrics and poems about the desert. [39] [40]
Many traditional songs and dances, handed down from generation to generation, have survived to the present time. Young girls would dance by swinging their hair, which was traditionally worn long, and swaying their bodies. Men often re-enacted battles or successful hunting expeditions using a weapon dance; such as the Yowlah. [41]
Football is the most popular sport in the UAE. Emirati football clubs Al-Ain, Al-Wasl, Al Nasr, Al-Sharjah, Al-Wahda, and Shabab Al-Ahli are the most popular teams and enjoy reputations as long-time regional champions. [42] The UAE national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1990 along with Egypt. It was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying, after Kuwait and Algeria in 1982, and Iraq and Algeria again in 1986. [43] The UAE also won the Arabian Gulf Cup held in Abu Dhabi in January 2007. [44]
Recognized by UNESCO as living human heritage, falconry has evolved into a revered sport and cultural tradition within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). [45] [46] Owners of falcons place great value on their falcons, considering them to be valued family members and trusted companions. With an estimated 5000 falconers in the country, a community is bounded by a shared passion for this sport. Through events such as the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), the UAE government actively supports and promotes falconry, highlighting its value as a sport and a treasured heritage.The importance of falconry in the United Arab Emirates is further highlighted by the existence of specialist institutions like the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. [47]
Inhabitants of Arab States of the Persian Gulf have enjoyed camel racing for many years as it is considered a traditional sport. [48] Formalizing camel racing was one way of maintaining its central role in UAE life. In the past, UAE had a reputation for exploiting South Asians as jockeys. [49] However, robot jockeys are now used after strict government regulations were passed prohibiting underage jockeys from racing. [50]
The UAE now has no fewer than 15 race tracks across the seven emirates. Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, 10 kilometers outside of Dubai, Al Wathba, 30 kilometers south-east of Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain track, which is 20 kilometers west of Al Ain, are all large, well-equipped camel tracks with high-tech facilities. Two smaller tracks are located in Sharjah, one in Ra's al-Khaimah and one in Umm al-Qaiwain. Others are spread throughout the desert areas. [51]
A lot of holidays in the UAE include Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha and Arafah Day, both of which are celebrated during the Hajj period, the UAE National Day on December 2 and 3, which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates, New Year on January 1, Commemoration Day on November 30 to honour those who died fighting for the UAE, the Islamic (Hijri) New Year, and the Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid). [52] [53]
Date | English | Arabic | |
---|---|---|---|
January 1 | New Year's Day | Ra's as-Sana al-meladiah | رأس السنة الميلادية |
Zil Hajjah 10 | Day of the Sacrifice | Eid-al-Adha | عيد الأضحى |
Muharram 1 | Islamic New Year | Ra's as-Sana al-Hijria | رأس السنة الهجرية |
Rajab 27 | The Night Journey | Al-Isra'a wal-Mi'raj | الإسراء والمعراج |
December 2 | National Day | Yawm al watani | اليوم الوطني |
Ramadan 29/30 Shawwal 1 | End of Ramadan | Eid-ul-Fitr | عيد الفطر |
The United Arab Emirates is a country in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The UAE consists of seven emirates and was founded on 2 December 1971 as a federation, after UK armed forces left the region. Six of the seven emirates declared their union on 2 December 1971. The seventh, Ras al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972. The seven sheikdoms were formerly known as the Trucial States, in reference to the truce treaties established with the British in the 19th century.
Politics of the United Arab Emirates take place in a framework of a federal presidential elective constitutional monarchy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven constituent monarchies: the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East. It is located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, while also having maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. Abu Dhabi is the country's capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is an international hub.
Al Ain is a border city on the eastern side of Tawam oasis and the seat of the administrative division, the Al Ain Region, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The city is bordered to the east by the Omani town of Al-Buraimi in the Al Buraimi Governorate. It is the largest inland city in the Emirates, the fourth-largest city, and the second-largest in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The freeways connecting Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the country, each city being roughly 130 kilometres (81 mi) from the other two.
Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) is the official media organization of the government of Dubai. It was established in 2003 as a state-owned company comprising a number of print, radio and TV channels under its umbrella, including: Dubai TV, Al Bayan, Dubai One, Dubai Sports, Emirates 24/7, Tawseel and Masar Printing Press. The chairman of the board of directors of DMI, Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the deputy ruler of Dubai.
The yowlah, is a weapon dance of the United Arab Emirates, traditionally performed during weddings, celebrations, and other events. The dance is accompanied by traditional music, and men and women are represented in separate groups of dancers. The yowlah originated as a Bedouin war dance where men would spin rifles after victory in a battle. There is also a variation from the standard yowlah known as the razfah ; and the ardah is sometimes considered a form of the yowlah.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum was an Emirati politician, the deputy ruler of Dubai and the minister of finance and industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was the second son of the late ruler Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the head of the UAE's delegation at the International Monetary Fund and the OPEC Fund.
Cinema of the United Arab Emirates began with a number of feature films that were broadcast on national television since the late 1980s.
Sharjah is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.
According to Human Rights Watch, there is substantial discrimination against women in the United Arab Emirates. The status of women has improved over the years. UAE performs better on metrics of gender equality than many other states in the Gulf region, and it has been making reforms to protect women's rights and empower women in different sectors. Critics describe some of these reforms as window dressing.
The Emiratis are the native citizen population of the United Arab Emirates. Within the UAE itself, they number approximately 1.15 million.
Emirati cuisine is the local traditional Arabic cuisine of the United Arab Emirates. It is part of Eastern Arabian cuisine and shares similarities with cuisines from neighboring countries, such as Omani cuisine and Saudi Arabian cuisine, as well as influences from different Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines.
Abdul Qader Al Rais is a multi-award-winning, Emirati painter noted for his abstract art which combines geometric shapes with Arabic calligraphy. He is known for including calligraphy and abstracted objects in his paintings, and regarded as a colour master.
Islam is both the majority and official religion in the United Arab Emirates, professed by approximately 76% of the population.The Al Nahyan and Al Maktoum ruling families adhere to Sunni Islam of Maliki school of jurisprudence. Many followers Hanbali school of Sunni Islam are found in Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Ajman. Their followers include the Al Qasimi ruling family. Other religions represented in the country including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrians, Druze, Baha'i, Judaism, and Sikhism are practiced by non-nationals.
The visa policy of the United Arab Emirates allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa. Citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the UAE diplomatic missions. Alternatively, they may obtain an online visa through Smart Service or airlines.
Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a member of the House of Al Falasi, a branch of the House of Maktoum, the ruling royal family of the Emirate of Dubai. He is the fifth son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Emir of Dubai.
The architecture of the United Arab Emirates has undergone dramatic transformation in recent decades, from operating as a collection of fishing villages to a global business hub known for its innovation and dynamism. Between the 1960s and 1970s, architecture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained solely traditional, with narrow alleys and windtower houses still in use, reflective of a strong Bedouin heritage. Architecture is influenced by elements of Islamic, Arabian and Persian culture.
Tourism in the United Arab Emirates is an important part of the Emirati economy, and consists of domestic and international components. In 2018, tourist industry composed over 2 dirham to country's GDP.
Aisha Khalaf Al Kaabi is an Emirati poet, short story writer, artist, and translator. She has been a member of Emirates Writers Union since 1997. She won the Emirates Women Award in Literature and Art in 2011 for her book No Consolation for House Cats. In 2012, she opened her own publishing house "IQRAni".
Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates has distinctive customs, traditions and rituals. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Celebrations and preparations for Ramadan begin on the night of the middle of Sha’ban, known as "Haq al-Laila" in the UAE. The month is filled with entertainment, spiritual, and cultural activities and events that tie into the atmosphere of Ramadan.
{{cite book}}
: |work=
ignored (help){{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: others (link)Arabian inspired architecture is part of the expression of a local identity.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: others (link){{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)