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Culture, Tradition and People of Dubai
Sunday, December 5, 2010

Culture

The culture in Dubai is very diverse. Culture of Dubai is predominantly Islamic, with religion touching all aspects of everyday life in the country. However, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam. Expatriates are free to practice their own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and the dress code is liberal. Women don't face discrimination. Courtesy and hospitality are highly prized virtues of Dubai. The serving of freshly ground Arabic coffee flavoured with Cardamon is a sign of welcome.(Retrieved from Fact Sheet Dubai: Culture and Traditions: http://www.dubaiupdate.co.uk/downloads/factsheets09/Dubai%20Culture%20and%20Traditions.pdf)


Hospitality in Dubai. Gulfnews. (2010, February 27). Retrieved from Brewing up distinct flavours of warm Emirati hospitality: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/brewing-up-distinct-flavours-of-warm-emirati-hospitality-1.589163

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and visitors can dress however they like. Still,there should be respect towards the customs of the locals customs. In deference to local customs and norms, it is preferred for visitors not to wear very short, tight clothing, at least until such time as they are comfortable with the city. UAE nationals usually wear their traditional dress, which is indeed a symbol of national pride and identity. (Middle East Hub. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dubai Culture: http://www.middleeasthub.com/dubai/culture/language-and-religion.html)

Normally tourist photography is acceptable and expected with all the beautiful things to photograph in Dubai. In general, photographs of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports should not be taken. Like anywhere, it is polite to ask permission before photographing people. It is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women.

Ramadan is the month of fasting when Muslims refrains from all food, drinks and smoking from dawn to dusk. As a sign of respect, visitors are also requested to refrain from all these items in public places except in the hotels, where customers maybe seated behind screens so as not to cause offence. (Retrieved from Fact Sheet Dubai: Culture and Traditions: http://www.dubaiupdate.co.uk/downloads/factsheets09/Dubai%20Culture%20and%20Traditions.pdf)

Alcohol is served in licensed premises like restaurants and bars. It is also served in a few recreational clubs. Shisha pipes are smoked at most establishments. They are traditional water pipes that use flavored tobaccos like strawberry or apple. Shisha is usually enjoyed while sitting at a café or restaurant.


Now Public. (2009, January 5). Retrieved from http://www.nowpublic.com/health/dubai-shisha-sales-smoke-photo-01


World News. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wn.com/shisha?orderby=rating

Culture is an important component to a wider Dubai experience, with a fleet of festivals forming the backbone of Dubai's cultural events calendar , from jazz and rock music, to films and literature is celebrated each year.
They have The Universal Museum at Khor Dubai, where three TOP German at institutes will help create the World's Largest consolidated arts museum in Dubai.

The Universal Museum in Khor Dubai. Core.Form. (2008, July 9). Retrieved from Dubai Museum of Middle East Modern Art: http://www.core.form-ula.com/2008/07/09/dubai-museum-of-middle-east-modern-art/

They do also have Dubai International Film Festival to showcase a wide selection of features, shorts and documentaries around the world.(www.dubaifilmfest.com)

Dubai International Film Festival

The Dubai International Jazz Festival is another cultural celebration which showcases exclusive performances by 120 artists.(www.dubaijazzfest.com)

Dubai International Jazz Festival.Core.Form. (2008, July 9). Retrieved from Dubai Museum of Middle East Modern Art: http://www.core.form-ula.com/2008/07/09/dubai-museum-of-middle-east-modern-art/

The International Festival of Literature has been designed as an annual event to bring together people of all nationalities and cultures to celebrate literature and reading in all forms. (www.eaifl.com)

Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature

Tradition

The Arab national dress worn in Dubai is particularly suitable for the high temperature and religious beliefs of the region.
For men, they wear the dishdasha or khandura, a white full-length shirt-dress. It is worn with a white or red checked headdress known as a gutra. In public, women wear the black abaya, a long black robe that covers their normal clothes. They also wear a headscarf.


Bridal Wears. (2009, November 20). Retrieved from Dubai Abaya: http://bridalwears.blogspot.com/2009/11/dubai-abaya-pictures.html


(2010, July 21). Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ZmI4LAH_QZs2g3TeZVMS5-R0P7kvS3mmvpvu7zB9SLxAgyAQWNzLMqs0scjV4JjmgOq_1XWpwUKAsGU2tVNeghYfs_aYNaOSDlu5yBrYnmh6ZDYlPYSAuBkEYDv53lHYPzdlMThcFpf/s1600/dishdashasabudhabi.jpg

Arabic cuisine comprises many types of cooking from countries like Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and more. Throughout the city, vendors sell shawarma, a hot sandwich with lamb or chicken, carved from a rotating spit and served in pita bread with vegetables. A variety of juices from pineapple, banana, mango, or a mixed cocktail can be ordered from fresh juice vendors.



Virtual Tourist. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/United_Arab_Emirates/Dubai/Dubai-1857296/Restaurants-Dubai-R-17.html

One of the traditional sports in Dubai is camel racing, which is considered to be one of the most memorable highlights of any visit to Dubai. Traditionally, races were organised between rulers of each individual emirate. But today, races falls on Thursdays and Sundays between November and April.

Camel Racing. Dubai City Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from Camel Racing Championship: http://www.dubaicity.com/what_to_do_in_dubai/camel-racing-championship.htm

The Arab has maintained a great love for horses. This tradition lives on today in the rapid growth and development of horse racing too.
Horse Racing. Law and Legal Travel. (n.d.). Retrieved from Top five destinations to watch sport and mix with the glitterati: http://www.lawandmore.co.uk/travel/holidays/top-five-destinations-to-watchport-and-mix-with-the-glitterati/

People

Dubai once was a land of Bedouins. The Bedouins in Dubai lived on fishing and pearl searching. The coral and gypsum courtyard houses were once the main accommodations available in Dubai. These houses were mainly built by the Persian traders. Bedouin fishermen and pearl divers in Dubai mainly lived in huts made of palm-fronds. (Maps of the World. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dubai Lonely Planet: http://www.mapsofworld.com/dubai/dubai-lonely-planet.html)


Part of Bedouins, the Bani Yas tribe is well-known for the patronage of, and involvement in literary arts. They are also renowned for their generosity, hospitality and chivalry and gradually these became a part of Dubai's culture.

Unlike nationals of other countries, the indigenous people of the UAE are less likely to be referred to by others or refer to themselves by their nationality. The people of every Arab state could be identified by the name of their state: the Egyptians, Iraqis, Saudis, etc. Up till now, there are no commonly used terms to identify the people of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjag.

All the people of UAE are known as Emirati, the common name for all.


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