Local Culture
The UAE has a rich culture which shouldn't be missed whether you are living here or just visiting. The local culture can at times be "overshadowed" by the many global influences. There is however a lot to learn and experience!
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Dinner at friends!
Nothing makes me happier than when friends invite me over for "just some lunch" and I get to enjoy the family atmosphere of an Emirati home. Today was such a day.
Local food and traditional clothing
The month of December is the month of National Day (2 December) and we all find several occasions to try the national food and clothing.
My friend is testing the newsly baked "legemat"
(Emirati fried dough with date syrup and sesame seeds)
Traditional tea and coffee pots
I'm trying on the traditional ornaments
Pretty jar (of fat)
BBQ in the desert with Bedouin friends
Scents for clothes and homesBBQ in the desert with Bedouin friends
Most of my friends are from the "seaside" of the country and enjoy jet skiing and fishing etc. But on the weekends, I love to go with my Bedouin friends who often are out in the desert for BBQ-ing and just chilling. Last weekend, we hang out in the desert until 5am and the temperature dropped to 12 degrees at night.
Preparing for our evening.
Trying to get the fire started.
Making Arabic coffee and chai karak (tea).
My favorite dish "mechboos djaj" with yoghurt.
Every morning when my friend dresses she makes sure that her black abaya gets a dose of "scent" in the form of fragrant smoke - "oud" or "bokhor". Some families spread the scented smoke around the home. Even at my job, a person goes around the office every morning with the fragrant smoke.
The result: scented smoke under her abaya before she leaves the house.
1. Heating the charcoal
2. Take the "oud"
3. Place the oud inside and put the charcoal on top.
4. Finally she "spreads" the smoke underneath the cloth of the abaya.
Zayed bin Mohammed Family Gathering Village, Dubai
Last night, my friends and I went to a large Emirati-styled family area where you can eat local food, buy traditional things including clothes, and hire an Emirati house for a day (for 100-200 dirhams/day). They also have a huge play area for children. The place opened a few years ago. They are closed during the summer months (when it is too hot to be outside). Opening hours: 5pm-10pm.
The "village" was established to focus on Emirati heritage and national tourism. The majority
of families visiting the area is Emiratis.
The "village" was established to focus on Emirati heritage and national tourism. The majority
of families visiting the area is Emiratis.
Cooking "legemat"...
... and crêpe-looking "Chbab" with chocolate.
Legemat
Traditional Emirati house to rent for a day (afternoon-evening).
Weekday 3pm-10pm (100 dirhams/day)
Weekends 3pm-10pm (200 dirhams/day)
Walking inside the "Family Gathering Village"
Traditional stands selling candy amongst other things.
The bags with the small grains in the center of the photo
are dried hummus called "Nakhaay".
The Arabic Language
Below are two examples of how the Arabic language can be understood in writing.
I learned to write in Arabic by first learning each letter (28 letters), and then connecting them as cursive writing. Most letters are consonants. There are also 7 vowels (3 short and 4 long). A bit simplified explanation would that they are usually written in the form of small "symbols" above or below the other letters.
The language is written from right to left.
I learned to write in Arabic by first learning each letter (28 letters), and then connecting them as cursive writing. Most letters are consonants. There are also 7 vowels (3 short and 4 long). A bit simplified explanation would that they are usually written in the form of small "symbols" above or below the other letters.
The language is written from right to left.
