Culture of Bahrain
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2008-05-24T07:45:15Z
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==People & Heritage==
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Nearly five-sevenths of the population are Arabs, and most are native-born [[Bahraini]]s, but only minority of them are [[Omanis]], or [[Saudis]]. Foreign-born inhabitants, comprising more than one-third of the population, are mostly from [[Iran]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Philippines]], [[UK|Britain]], and the [[United States]]. About three-fifths of the largely Asian labour force is foreign.
The population is more than four-fifths [[Muslim]] and includes both the [[Sunni]] and [[Shia]] sects. Bahrain is also the only Gulf Arab state with an active Jewish population, and has the largest Christian minority within the Gulf Arab states. Roughly 1,000 Christians hold [[Bahraini]] citizenship, with the closest country, [[Kuwait]], only having approximately 200. [[Arabic]] is the official language of Bahrain, but English is widely used. [[Persian language|Persian]] is spoken by very few ''ajam'', or Persians.
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In spite of its rapid economic development, [[Bahrain]] remains, in many respects, essentially [[Arab culture|Arab in its culture]]. Football ([[soccer]]) is the most popular modern sport, while traditional pastimes such as [[falconry]], horse riding, and [[gazelle]] and [[hare]] hunting are still practiced by wealthier [[Bahraini]]s. Horse and camel racing are popular public entertainments.
Traditional handicraft industries enjoy state and popular support. The [[Bahrain National Museum]] in [[Manama]] contains local artifacts dating from antiquity, such as ivory figurines, pottery, copper articles, and gold rings, many of which reflect various cultural influences from outside Bahrain. There is also a small but flourishing avant-garde art community.
=== Traditional dresses ===
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The typical Bahraini woman dresses conservatively, usually the ''[[daffah]]'' (عباية), a long loose-fitting black gown, is worn. However, there is no formal dress code in Bahrain, and foreigners as well as local women are seen wearing modern outfits as well.
Bahraini men usually wear the ''[[Thobe]]'' (ثوب) and the traditional headdress which includes the ''[[Keffiyeh]]'', ''[[Ghutra]]'' and ''[[Agal]]''.
* The ''Thobe'', or 'Dishdasha' in Kuwaiti, is a loose, long-sleeved, ankle-length garment. Summer Thobes are white and made of cotton and winter Thobes can be darker and made of wool.
* The ''Ghutra'' is a square scarf, made of cotton, and is folded in a triangle and worn over the Keffiyeh. In Bahrain, it is usually red and white checked or all white. There is no significance placed on which kind the man wears.
* The ''Keffiyeh'' is a white knitted skull cap worn under the Ghutra. The ''Agal'' is a thick, double, black cord that is worn on the top of the ''Ghutra'' to hold it in place.
* The ''Agal'' is a cord that is fastened around the Keffiyeh to hold it in place.
In some occasions, Bahrainis wear a ''[[Bisht (clothing)|Bisht]]'', which is a cloak made of wool, over the ''thobe''. Unlike the ''thobe'', the ''Bisht'' is soft, and it is usually black, brown, or grey.
==Media==
{{further|[[:Category:Bahraini media|Media of Bahrain]]}}
Several weekly and daily papers are published in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] - ''[[Akhbar Al Khaleej]]'', ''Al Ayam'', ''Al Waqt'' to name a few. A small number of newspapers appear in [[English language|English]] - ''[[Gulf Daily News]]'', ''Bahrain Tribune''. Most of the press is privately owned and is not subject to censorship as long as it refrains from criticizing the [[Al Khalifa|Ruling family]]. The state television and radio stations broadcast most programs in Arabic, although there are channels in English and [[Hindi]].
==Arts, Music & Dance==
[[Image:Oud.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Front and rear views of an ''Oud''.]]
:''(See also: [[Music of Bahrain]])''
Arts include readings of the [[Quran]], ceremonial dances accompanied by flat drums, and storytelling. The poets of Bahrain are famous for their poetic verses and carry on established traditions while also exploring new themes. Births and marriages call for wide-scale celebrations in Bahrain, which often are a pleasure to take part in. Apart from this, the people of Bahrain are also known for their artistic skills, the boats used for fishing and pearling, being an example of this craftsmanship. The traditional jewelry also speaks volumes about the intricate designs that the people of Bahrain can come up with.
''[[Khaleeji]]'' is a style of Persian Gulf-area folk music, played in Bahrain with [[polyrhythms]]. The style is strongly influenced by the music of [[Africa]]. The Bahraini male-only pearl diving tradition is known for the songs called ''[[Fidjeri]]''. ''Fidjeri'' is a musical repertoire performed traditionally by male pearl divers of Bahrain. It involves singing, clapping, drums and dances with earthen water jars. [[Liwa (music)|Liwa]] is a type of music and dance performed mainly in communities which contain descendants of [[East African]]s, such as [[Muharraq]] and [[Hidd]].
The music of Bahrain follows the traditional Arabic mode. It is elaborate and repetitive. It is played on the ''[[oud]]'' (an ancestor of the [[lute]]) and the ''[[Rebaba]]'' (a one-stringed instrument). Bahrain also has a folk dance tradition. The ''[[Ardha]]'' is a men's sword dance, which is accompanied by traditional drummers and a poet, who sings the lyrics.
A small number of films have been made in the country (see [[Cinema of Bahrain]]).
==Festivals, Customs & Rituals==
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* [[Eid ul-Fitr]] and [[Eid ul-Adha]]
* [[Ramadan]]
* [[Ashoura]]
* [[Mawlid|Prophet's birthday]]
* [[Bahrain Independence Day]]
* Bahrain's National Day
* Nasfa
* Gira'oon
==Places==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|+
|-
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* [[Al Fateh Mosque]]
* [[Al Khamis Mosque]]
* [[Arad Fort]]
* [[Bab Al Bahrain]]
* [[Bab Al Bahrain#Manama Souq|Manama Souq]]
* [[Bab Al Bahrain#Manama Souq|Gold Souq]]
* [[Bahrain Fort]]
* [[Bahrain Grand Prix]]
* [[Bahrain National Museum]]
* [[Barbar Temple]]
|
* [[Beit Al Qur'an]]
* [[Dilmun Burial Mounds]]
* Diving
* [[First Oil Well]]
* Horse Riding
* [[Jasra House]]
* [[King Fahd Causeway]]
* [[Riffa Fort]]
* [[Riffa Golf Club]]
* [[Shaikh Isa's House]]
|
* [[Siyadi House]]
* [[Tree of Life, Bahrain|Tree of Life]]
* Jabal El Doka'an
* Seef Mall
|}
==See also==
*[http://www.tajdeed.org/ '''Al-Tajdeed Cultural Society''']
* [[Bahrain National Museum]]
* [[Cinema of Bahrain]]
* [[Music of Bahrain]]
* [[Cuisine of Bahrain]]
* [[Culture of the Arab Gulf states]]
{{Asia in topic|Culture of}}
[[Category:Bahraini culture|Bahraini culture]]