Culture of the United Arab Emirates

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a diverse society.^[1] The country's historical population as a small tribal community that has changed with the arrival of other nationals, in the mid-20th century.^[2] The country was also part of the British Empire until 1971.^[3]

Emirati culture is based on Arabian culture, with influences from the cultures of East Africa and Indian Subcontinent.^[4] The religion of Islam has had a prominent influence on local architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle. Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques, which are scattered around the country.^[5] The weekend begins on Friday due to Friday being the holiest day for Muslims; most Muslim countries have a Friday-Saturday or Thursday-Friday weekend.^[6]

The city of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[7] 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.^[8]

History[]

Artifacts uncovered in the UAE show a history of human habitation, transmigration and trade spanning over 125,000 years.^[9] The area was previously home to the Magan people^[10] 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^[11] as well as the Levant.^[12]

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Emirati people[]

A dallah is a traditional Arabic coffee pot for serving Arabian coffee. It is a symbol of the Emirati culture, featuring on the United Arab Emirates dirham coin

Due to growth in trade, expatriates from over 200 nations have migrated to the UAE seeking better lives and higher-income jobs.^[13]

The UAE has been criticized for perpetuating a class-based society, where migrant workers are in the lower classes.^[14][15] Despite the diversity of the population, only minor and infrequent episodes of ethnic tensions, primarily between expatriates, have been reported.^[16][17][18]

Major holidays in Dubai include Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and National Day (2 December), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.^[19]

The population as a whole is estimated by the U.S. State Department to be at 9 million people, with only 15–20% of these being citizens. The population growth rate is 4% per year. The primary religion in the United Arab Emirates is Islam (Muslim), with the population estimated to be 96% Muslim. Hinduism and Christianity are minorities as stated by the United States State Department. The official language of the UAE is Arabic, although other languages such as English, Persian, Hindi and Urdu are also spoken. The U.S. State Department estimates the people of the UAE to have an average life expectancy of seventy-seven years.^{[citation needed]}

Lexicology[]

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Historically, Emiratis were called Trucial Coasters^[20] or Trucials in the medieval era.^[21] In the ancient period, Emiratis were referred to as Maganites.^[22] The word Emirati is an English word derived from a combination of the word emir, which is the Arabic word for an Islamic leader, added to the English suffix -ate. The demonym Emirian has a similar root except with the suffix -ian being added to the emir. More rare words for the locals of the UAE include Emiri and Emiratian, both of which are unofficial and informal alternates.^[23] However, due to strong tribal allegiances, many Emiratis also self-identify by their tribal affiliations, especially if they come from an influential tribe.^[24]

Architecture[]

Sheikh Maktoum house courtyard featuring the common architecture of wind-catchers called Barjeel.

The United Arab Emirate's architecture is influenced by Islamic architecture and Arabian architecture.^[25] For example, the "barjeel" has become an identifying mark of traditional Emirati architecture and is attributed to Persian influence.^[4]

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.^[26]

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.^[26]

Dress[]

Many older Emirati men prefer traditional Emirati clothes, such as the kandura, an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton. Many local women wear an abaya (black over-garment) and a headscarf.^[27] On average, a UAE male national would have up to 50 kanduras to ensure cleanliness.^[28] This attire is particularly well-suited to the UAE's hot, dry climate. Western-style clothing is also fairly popular, especially among the Emirati youth and expats. This is not always well received by local law enforcement: there have been several recent cases of expatriates being arrested for inappropriate attire or nudity.^[29]

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.^[30][31]

Food[]

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.^[32] 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. Mangos 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.

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.^[33]

Greetings and Social Customs[]

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 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.^[34]

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 right 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 made 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.^[34]

Emirati etiquette and practiced mannerism are there to show the values of respect, generosity, and kindness ^[35]

Literature and poetry[]

Themes in Emirati poetry are diverse, ranging from satire, self-praise, and patriotism, to chivalry, religion, family, and love.^[36][37][38]

As in many other Arab countries, poetry is considered a key art form. Traditional forms persist today, although some Western styles of prose poetry have gained popularity.

The first Emirati novel, Shahenda, was written by Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi.^[39]

Contemporary literary figures include Nujoom Al-Ghanem, Ousha Al Sha'er, Khalid Albudoor, and Aisha Al Kaabi.

Music, dance, and film[]

The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Arab khaleeji tradition. Yowla is a type of music and dance performed mainly in communities of Bantu people from the African Great Lakes region.^[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, often symbolically using sticks, swords, or rifles.^{[citation needed]}

Hollywood and Bollywood movies are popular in Dubai.

The UAE has an active music scene, with international touring musicians such as Amr Diab, Diana Haddad, Tarkan, Aerosmith, Santana, Mark Knopfler, Elton John, Pink, Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd, Shakira, Celine Dion, Coldplay, Linkin Park, Zayn Malik, Slipknot, Tyga ,50 Cent, Phil Collins and BTS having performed in the country. The Abu Dhabi Festival has been held annually since 2004.

Sports[]

The Dubai Tennis Championships in 2006.

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.^[41] 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.^[42] The UAE also won the Arabian Gulf Cup held in Abu Dhabi in January 2007.^[43]

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the UAE, largely due to the expatriate population from the Indian subcontinent. In the UAE there are 3 International Cricket stadiums in UAE. They have hosted many international cricket matches such as one T-20, 2014 IPL, and many more.^{[clarification needed]}

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is also increasing in popularity within the UAE. Both the adult team and the juvenile team frequently compete and win events both locally and internationally.^{[citation needed]} The World Pro Abu Dhabi tournament attracts hundreds of competitors annually and features a large cash prize. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also features prominently in local Abu Dhabi school curricula.

Inhabitants of Arab States of the Persian Gulf have enjoyed camel racing for many years as it is considered a traditional sport.^[44] 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.^[45] However, robot jockeys are now used after strict government regulations were passed prohibiting underage jockeys from racing.^[46]

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 , 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.^[47]

In 2021, the UAE formed its first ever all-female camel racing team.

Other popular sports include car racing, falconry, endurance riding, and tennis.^[48]

Magazines on Culture in the UAE[]

• The Vision (magazine) is a Dubai-based Magazine presenting Dubai's perspective on Culture, Art, Music, Business and Life in the Emirate.^[49]
• Brownbook, based in Dubai, is an urban lifestyle guide focusing on art, design, and travel across the Middle East and North Africa.^[50]
• Canvas is an international bi-monthly magazine dedicated to art and culture from the Middle East and Arab world.^[51]
• Bidoun covers art and culture from the Middle East like paintings.^[52]

Holidays[]

Martyrs[]

On 29 and 30 November 1971, a contingent of the Iranian army supported by the Iranian naval forces occupied the islands of Abu Musa and the Lesser and Greater Tunbs.^[53] The first soldier killed on Greater Tunb was who was shot and killed after he refused to lower the Ras Al Khaimah flag. The death of the 20 year-old bin Khamis is marked as the date of the first martyr in the United Arab Emirates and November 30 is celebrated as Commemoration Day.^[54]

See also[]

• Cultural Policy in Abu Dhabi
• Demographic of the United Arab Emirates
• Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

References[]