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Theculture of the United Arab Emirates is part of theculture 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 ofArabian,Islamic, andPersian cultures, with influences from the cultures ofEast Africa andIndian subcontinent.[3]Islam has had a prominent influence on localarchitecture,music,attire,cuisine, andlifestyle.[citation needed]
In the United Arab Emirates, the city ofAl Ain in theEmirate of Abu Dhabi is aUNESCO World Heritage Site.[4] The Emirate ofSharjah was named "The Cultural capital of the Arab World" byUNESCO in 1998 and the "Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014" by theOIC.[5]
Artifacts uncovered in the UAE show a history of human habitation, transmigration, and trade spanning over 125,000 years.[6] The area was previously home to theMagan people[7] known to theSumerians, who traded with both coastal towns and bronze miners and smelters from the interior. A rich history of trade with theHarappan 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[8] as well as the Levant.[9]
The UAE's official language isArabic, butEnglish is widely spoken due to the country's diverse nature and economic globalization.[10][11][12]Farsi,Hindi,Urdu,Bengali andMandarin are also widely spoken by expatriates fromIran,India,Pakistan,Bangladesh, andChina.[13][14][15]
Native Emirati nationals speak theGulf Arabic, which is similar to that spoken in otherGCC countries andIraq.[11][16][17]
Th 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.[13]
After marriage, women retain their family names, and children take the name of the father.[18]
The United Arab Emirates' architecture is influenced byIslamic architecture and Arabian architecture.[19] 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 ofstone guss with roofs made frompalm tree leaves.Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded withsarooj or aseashell-derivedlime mixture, and plastered withchalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions.[20]
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.[20]
Many Emirati men and women prefer traditional Emirati clothes: thekandura andabaya.[21]
Traditional clothing is designed for comfort in high temperatures and to keep with the Islamicreligious beliefs in the country. Clothing that cover more parts of the body from the sunlight is preferred.[22][23] Ballgowns are common in this area. Ballgowns are commonly adorned with silver and gold.[24]
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—also knows as the Al Ayyala dance[25]—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 aBedouin diet (meat andcamel milk), a fishermen's diet (fish), and a farmer's diet (dates). These foods, along with key spices, such ascinnamon,saffron, andturmeric, form the basis of both historical and modern Emirati cuisine.[27]
Vegetables that are easy to grow, such ascucumbers andtomatoes, are featured prominently in the diet. Dried lemons, calledloomi, are grown locally and used in numerous dishes.Mangoes are also grown in the northern emirates. Meats traditionally used includechicken or smallfowl, such asHoubara 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]
Harees is 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.[30]
Other popular dishes include fouga, kabsa andluqemat. 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-Easternshawarma.[31]
When entering aMajlis, 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.The most common greeting is "As-salamu alaykum," which means "Peace be upon you." The response is "Wa alaykum as-salam," meaning "And upon you be peace." For men, the traditional Emirati greeting is thekhushmak, 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.[13]
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]These customs reflect the UAE's strong cultural traditions and the importance of respect, hospitality, and community in Emirati society.[33]
Based on their educational backgrounds and historical environment, Emirati poetry is divided into three main periods. The Bedouin oral poetry, especiallyNabati poetry, has been a significant part of the UAE's cultural heritage. This form of poetry is traditionally passed down through generations and often reflects the values, history, and daily life of the Bedouin people and the Emirati folklore, including stories ofjinn (spirits) and other supernatural beings, is another traditional literary form . 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 asqaṣīdah. 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.[34] Themes in Emirati poetry are diverse, ranging fromsatire,self-praise, andpatriotism, tochivalry,religion,family, andlove.[35][36][37]
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 theEmirati 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 instandard 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.[34]
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.[34]
Among Emiratis, thenovel is the kind of fiction literature that is least popular. As most literary critics and pundits have long speculated, the 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.[34] The first Emirati novel,Shahenda, was written byRashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi.[38]
The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Arabkhaleeji 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.[39] One of the UAE's most famous traditional singers isMehad Hamad, who is known for singing patriotic lyrics and poems about the desert.[40][41]
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 aweapon dance; such as theYowlah.[42]
Football is the most popular sport in the UAE. Emirati football clubsAl-Ain,Al-Wasl,Al Nasr,Al-Sharjah,Al-Wahda, andShabab Al-Ahli are the most popular teams and enjoy reputations as long-time regional champions. TheUAE national football team qualified for theFIFA World Cup in1990 along withEgypt. It was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying, afterKuwait andAlgeria in1982, andIraq andAlgeria again in1986.[43] The UAE also won theArabian Gulf Cup held inAbu Dhabi in January 2007.[44]
Recognized byUNESCO as living human heritage,falconry has evolved into a revered sport and cultural tradition within the 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), theUAE 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 theAbu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.[47]
Inhabitants ofArab States of the Persian Gulf have enjoyedcamel racing for many years, and 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 forexploiting 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, andAl 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 includeEid Al-Fitr, which marks the end ofRamadan, Eid Al-Adha and Arafah Day, both of which are celebrated during the Hajj period, the UAENational 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 ofRamadan | Eid-ul-Fitr | عيد الفطر |
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