The whole culture of Saudi Arabia is inextricably linked with Islam. Politics, art, family values - religion has left its mark on everything. At the same time, some customs and customs of Saudi Arabia differ from the customs of the Arab Emirates , Oman and other Muslim countries.
The whole culture of Saudi Arabia is inextricably linked with Islam. Politics, art, family values - religion has left its mark on everything. At the same time, some customs and customs of Saudi Arabia differ from the customs of the Arab Emirates , Oman and other Muslim countries. This is due primarily to the rather tangible closeness of this state, as well as due to some climatic features of the region and historical prerequisites.
clothing
Traditional Arabian clothing fully meets Islamic traditions and, at the same time, is very functional. The male costume consists of a long white cotton shirt with long sleeves that perfectly protects from burning sun rays, wide trousers, light sandals.
In cooler weather, a short black jacket or a coat of fine wool can be added to it (it, as a rule, is of different shades of brown color). It is often possible to meet and dressing gowns. Men usually wear cold weapons at their waists - a dzhambia dagger or a hanjar, traditional for all Arab lands. Mandatory detail of the male costume is gutra - a cotton linen wrapped around the head.
Women's clothing is a cotton or silk light colored dress, on top of which a dark dress is put on, as well as a shalwar, a complex headscarf and a black cape. Clothes are richly decorated with beads or embroidery. The face is usually covered with a black mask made of dense silk or brocade. Women also wear a lot of jewelry - from ceramics, beads, coins, silver.
Note: foreigners can dress outside the Islamic tradition, but shorts, short skirts and shirts (blouses) with sleeves above the elbow should not be worn here, so as not to cause claims from the Mutawwa - the local religious police.
Dressing in local clothes for foreigners is also not recommended, since cut, style, color and other elements of traditional costume indicate that its owner belongs to a particular clan and occupies a certain position there.
Dancing and music
One of the traditional dances is al-ardha (or al-arda), when a group of men with bare swords dance to the rhythm set by the drums, while the poets chant recitatives at this time. The roots of this action go back to the ritual dances of the ancient Bedouins.
His traditional dances, however, are somewhat less colorful, there are also in Jeddah, Mecca and other regions. They are usually accompanied by playing a mizmar, an instrument resembling a zurna and oboe. But the traditional dance of the Hijaz community, called al-mizmar, has nothing to do with this musical instrument: it is a dance with a cane, performed under drum roll. It is even listed as an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Traditional musical instruments of Saudi Arabia are also:
- barbet - a kind of lute, which was born exactly in the Arabian lands, and later became widespread; Today it is a national instrument in the Arab countries, as well as in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Greece;
- stringed bow instrument rubab (in other countries also - rebab and rabab);
- various drums.
Family and position of women
The family traditions of Saudi Arabia remain virtually unchanged for many centuries. In recent years, there has been a trend towards a decrease in families, but so far they remain quite large. Together, representatives of 2, 3 or more worshipings can live, and representatives of the same family traditionally live in the same village. The oldest man is in the family; inheritance follows the male line in order of precedence. One of the sons lives in the parental home. Daughters live with their parents until they get married, after which they move to the husband's house.
Customs and traditions in Saudi Arabia related to marriage, not all are preserved. For example, polygamy is not widely spread: as in the marriage contract, according to the laws of Islam, it is indicated that the husband must provide "decent conditions" for his wives, and the same for all, most men are limited to only one wife. However, up to now, some of the families (mostly in the villages) are using contractual marriages, although in the cities the young people mostly solve the issues with the creation of the family on their own.
Women in comparison with men have almost no rights, even, for example, such as the right to drive a car. You can not talk to outsiders. There is still a tradition of stoning women with stones. In Bedouin families, women, oddly enough, have a little more rights. They can be shown to outsiders without some parts of the traditional outfit (for example, with an open face and without a top cape), and also have the right to talk with men.
Some traditions and customs of Saudi Arabia and for men seem to the European at least strange. For example, in Riyadh and other large cities, admission to large supermarkets and shopping centers for men over 16 without the accompaniment of women is prohibited. It is believed that in this way the law protects other women who came to the store without a male escort, from the encroachment of lonely men.
Kitchen
In Islam, there is a strict ban on the use of pork and alcoholic beverages. However, meat dishes are highly appreciated here: first of all, it is a variety of dishes from lamb and lamb - only kebab recipes here are more than fifty. Also common in the cuisine of Saudi Arabia and dishes from beef and chicken.
Wide variety of legumes is widely used: it is falafel, fried balls from chickpeas, poole - puree from boiled beans with lemon and garlic, etc. Fresh vegetables, rice, fish, spices are popular.
Tourists should definitely try the local sweets and coffee, which here also exists a great variety of varieties.
Why pay attention to the tourist?
In no case should not touch his interlocutor, especially - to his head. You also need to monitor the position of your feet during a conversation: the soles should not be directed towards one person. Shaking hands, you do not need to look your face in the face, and to keep the second hand in your pocket or to gesticulate it is considered unthinkable at all.
With gestures in general, one should be cautious: the Arabs have a complex system of gesticulation, and a gesture that for Europeans does not make any sense at all, can be perceived by the Arab as insulting.
When visiting a mosque , and also coming to someone's home, you need to take off your shoes. Those who pray - regardless of whether they pray in the mosque or elsewhere - should in no case be walked around in front of or distracted from their occupation.