U.A.E CULTURE
The UAE’s culture is rooted in the traditions of a nomadic, desert people. The tribe has been the principal building block of UAE society since successive waves of migration, beginning in the middle of the first millennium BC, brought Arab tribes to the region. The terrain which these tribes inhabited—desert, oasis, mountains and coast—dictated varied lifestyles but the common thread was the resourcefulness in managing the harsh environment. This was assisted by the social structure in which each family was traditionally bound by obligations of mutual assistance to his immediate relatives and to the tribe as a whole. Among the tribe an individual's selfless hospitality was the source of his honor and pride But now there are increasing numbers of Europeans in the UAE with schools, restaurants, and culture centers that influence the modern UAE.
POETRY
Poetry is one of the cultural understandings of U.A.E. As they believed , poems enable ones thought or emotion to be revealed in a glorious manner and can be brought forward for generations to generations.
Many emirates have established museums of regional repute; most famously Sharjah with its Heritage District containing 17 museums which in 1998 was the Cultural Capital of the Arab World Abu Dhabi’s cultural foundation is also an important place for the presentation of indigenous and foreign art. In Dubai the area of Al Qouz has attracted a number of art galleries. Abu Dhabi has embarked on the path to become an art center of international caliber, through the creation of a culture district on Saadiyat Island There, six grand projects are planned: the Sheikh Zayed National Museum by Foster and Partners , the modern art museum Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to be built by Frank Gehry, the classical museum Louvre Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel, a maritime museum by Tadao Ando, a Performing Arts Center by Zaha Hadid, and a Biennale Park with 16 pavilions.
Dubai also plans to construct a Kunsthal museum and a district for galleries and artists.
Dubai also plans to construct a Kunsthal museum and a district for galleries and artists.
ARCHITECTURE
The United Arab Emirates's architecture is largely inspired by Islamic architecture. It reflects the traditional lifestyles and customs of the people. Building materials are simple, but well-adapted to local living and climatic circumstances. Portable tents traditionally provided shelter during tribal wanderings in the winter season.
INTERESTINGLY : even Burj Khalifa's architecture is inspired by Islamic design such include its exterior and interior both being influenced.
The United Arab Emirates's architecture is largely inspired by Islamic Architecture. It reflects the traditional lifestyles and customs of the people. Building materials are simple, but well-adapted to local living and climatic circumstances. Portable tents traditionally provided shelter during tribal wanderings in the winter season. Inland more permanent houses were built of stone guss and were roofed with palm trees leaves Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj, or a lime mixture derived from sea shells and plastered with chalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions. Privacy and ventilation were important influences in the layout of the houses.
INTERESTINGLY : even Burj Khalifa's architecture is inspired by Islamic design such include its exterior and interior both being influenced.
The United Arab Emirates's architecture is largely inspired by Islamic Architecture. It reflects the traditional lifestyles and customs of the people. Building materials are simple, but well-adapted to local living and climatic circumstances. Portable tents traditionally provided shelter during tribal wanderings in the winter season. Inland more permanent houses were built of stone guss and were roofed with palm trees leaves Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj, or a lime mixture derived from sea shells and plastered with chalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions. Privacy and ventilation were important influences in the layout of the houses.
TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
The Emirati attire is typical of Arabic countries and is inherited from the Bedouin culture which prevailed in the Arabic peninsula. Today, men and women carry forward these ancestral traditions not least by means of their way of dressing.
Both men and women wear “veils” and long sleeved “robes”. This is immediately understandable to anyone who has spent time in the Arabic peninsula especially in the summer!
MEN
Emirati men prefer wearing kandoora or in other words dish-dash. Kandoora is an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton. It is normally made of cotton, but heavier materials such as sheep's wool can also be used, especially in colder climates in Iraq and Syria.Men wear the dishdash also referred to as dish-dasha or even gandoora, gandurah or even tawb or taub (long white robe) and the headscarf (keffiyeh).
The UAE traditional Keffiyeh is white and is held in place by the agal (for which the pluriel is aghals) which resembles a sort of black heavy duty hosepipe. The keffiyehs worn in the neighbouring countries are not necessarily white and each Bedouin tribe will have its own colours. The younger emiraties prefer to wear red and white keffiyehs and tie it round their head to avoid having to wear the agal. Just like with the women’s abaya, the dishdash and keffiyehs are often made foreign famous French English or Italian couturiers.
To wear the Keffiyeh the Emirati style, all you have to do is fold the headscarf once to make a triangle placing the longer side of the triangle along the forehead leaving the 90˚ corner somewhere towards the top of your back. Then all you have to do is place the aghals on top leaving the black chords dangling in your back.
If you want to wear your keffiyeh without using the aghals, simply make a triangle as described above and use the two small-angled corners to wrap them round yourhead, starting with the back of the head, and around the forehead to fold it back into the beginning of the loop just behind the ears. Do not use the aghals when wearing the keffiyehs in this style.
All Emiratis aged from 5 or 6 onwards wear this traditional clothing.
WOMEN
In contrast, Emirati women wear gorgeous abayas .abayas’ are full-length, outer garment worn. Traditional abaya’s are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands.Women wear the abaya, a long black robe with a hijab (the head-scarf which covers the neck and part of the head). Some women may add a niqab which cover the mouth and nose and only leaves the eyes exposed. Alternatively, some women pull their hijab over their faces so no part of their face is visible.
the abaya is traditionally completely black but today, you might see some with colorful embroideries around the collar or on the sleeves. Furthermore, these days, the younger generations of Emiratis like to wear fitted abayas when these were originally designed to hide or prevent from revealing any physical shape.
On the other hand, they are dressed in an extremely fashionable manner below the abaya which they remove when solely in the presence of women or when at home. Similarly, their love for fashion is reflected by the fact that Emirati women buy abaya made by some of the greatest couturiers such as Dior, Pierre Cardin, Channel
The dress code for non nationals is much the same as in your own country. Out of respect for the local culture a somewhat higher level of modesty is recommended. Certainly, shorts, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts are quite acceptable. Tight or revealing clothing may be worn but may attract unwanted attention. Keep in mind that Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai -- as are the more rural areas-- so dress accordingly.
Both men and women wear “veils” and long sleeved “robes”. This is immediately understandable to anyone who has spent time in the Arabic peninsula especially in the summer!
MEN
Emirati men prefer wearing kandoora or in other words dish-dash. Kandoora is an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton. It is normally made of cotton, but heavier materials such as sheep's wool can also be used, especially in colder climates in Iraq and Syria.Men wear the dishdash also referred to as dish-dasha or even gandoora, gandurah or even tawb or taub (long white robe) and the headscarf (keffiyeh).
The UAE traditional Keffiyeh is white and is held in place by the agal (for which the pluriel is aghals) which resembles a sort of black heavy duty hosepipe. The keffiyehs worn in the neighbouring countries are not necessarily white and each Bedouin tribe will have its own colours. The younger emiraties prefer to wear red and white keffiyehs and tie it round their head to avoid having to wear the agal. Just like with the women’s abaya, the dishdash and keffiyehs are often made foreign famous French English or Italian couturiers.
To wear the Keffiyeh the Emirati style, all you have to do is fold the headscarf once to make a triangle placing the longer side of the triangle along the forehead leaving the 90˚ corner somewhere towards the top of your back. Then all you have to do is place the aghals on top leaving the black chords dangling in your back.
If you want to wear your keffiyeh without using the aghals, simply make a triangle as described above and use the two small-angled corners to wrap them round yourhead, starting with the back of the head, and around the forehead to fold it back into the beginning of the loop just behind the ears. Do not use the aghals when wearing the keffiyehs in this style.
All Emiratis aged from 5 or 6 onwards wear this traditional clothing.
WOMEN
In contrast, Emirati women wear gorgeous abayas .abayas’ are full-length, outer garment worn. Traditional abaya’s are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands.Women wear the abaya, a long black robe with a hijab (the head-scarf which covers the neck and part of the head). Some women may add a niqab which cover the mouth and nose and only leaves the eyes exposed. Alternatively, some women pull their hijab over their faces so no part of their face is visible.
the abaya is traditionally completely black but today, you might see some with colorful embroideries around the collar or on the sleeves. Furthermore, these days, the younger generations of Emiratis like to wear fitted abayas when these were originally designed to hide or prevent from revealing any physical shape.
On the other hand, they are dressed in an extremely fashionable manner below the abaya which they remove when solely in the presence of women or when at home. Similarly, their love for fashion is reflected by the fact that Emirati women buy abaya made by some of the greatest couturiers such as Dior, Pierre Cardin, Channel
The dress code for non nationals is much the same as in your own country. Out of respect for the local culture a somewhat higher level of modesty is recommended. Certainly, shorts, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts are quite acceptable. Tight or revealing clothing may be worn but may attract unwanted attention. Keep in mind that Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai -- as are the more rural areas-- so dress accordingly.
DANCE AND MUSIC
The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Arab khaleeji tradition, and is also known for Bedouin folk music. Yowla is a type of music and dance performed mainly in communities of Bantu people. During celebrations singing and dancing also took place and many of the songs and dances, handed down from generation to generation, have survived to the present time.
Young girls would dance by swinging their long black hair and swaying their bodies in time to the strong beat of the music. Men would re-enact battles fought or successful hunting expeditions, often symbolically using sticks, sword, or rifles.
Young girls would dance by swinging their long black hair and swaying their bodies in time to the strong beat of the music. Men would re-enact battles fought or successful hunting expeditions, often symbolically using sticks, sword, or rifles.
TRADITIONAL CUISINES
Due to harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates uses a lot of meat, grain, and dairy. Vegetables are easy to grow in some areas, and are strongly featured in the diet. Traditional dishes include Ma'louba, Margooga, Harees, Machbous, Frsee'ah, Fireed, Jisheid, and Mishwy. Meats traditionally used were chicken or small fowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. As camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating of camel meat is normally reserved for special occasions.
The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is often cooked in a single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and thyme are the core flavors used in Emirati cookery.
The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is often cooked in a single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric, and thyme are the core flavors used in Emirati cookery.