Anthropology-Jordan

CUISINE

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Saudia+arabia+food&FORM=BIFD&adlt=strict#

A variety of cuisine in Saudi Arabia.  The southern region special utensils are used (stoneware) to get slow and even cooking, also good for keeping food hot on long trips.

The people of Saudi Arabia are descended from tribes of nomadic sheep and goat herders and maintain many of the traditions of their past. Traditional foods like dates, fatir (flat bread), arikah (bread from the southwestern part of the country), and hawayij (a spice blend) are still eaten by Saudis today. Saudi Arabia is also home to Mecca, the origin and spiritual center of Islam. The culture, as well as the laws of Saudi Arabia, is founded on Islamic main beliefs, including the dietary restrictions against eating pork or drinking alcohol.

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim nation. The national holidays are Islamic holidays, including Ramadan (a month of fasting from sunup to sundown), Eid al-Fitr (the feast at the end of Ramadan), and Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice). Two of the Five Pillars of Islam are to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.  Every Muslim has to make a pilgrimage once in their life. Give aid to the poor. Eid al-Adha, which occurs at the end of the month of pilgrimage, re-enact the story of God giving Abraham a ram to sacrifice instead of his son Isaac. It also fulfills the requirement to give to the poor, by having a lamb ritually slaughtered and donating the meat to those in need.

Most Saudi holiday meals include thick soups, stuffed vegetables, bean salads or tabbouleh (a salad made with bulgur wheat), humus, rice, and the flat bread that is eaten with all meals. Dates, raisins, and nuts are served as appetizers or snacks. Sweet desserts are eaten after the meal to finish the meal

“Saudi Arabia”  foodbycountry.com.  18 Mar 2010

<http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Saudi-Arabia.html.&gt;.

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CELEBRATIONS/HOLIDAYS

Ramadan

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims from all over the world refrain from eating, drinking, and any physical activities during the day.  It’s more than just not eating, it’s a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice.  During this month, Muslims are called upon to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance.  They are to make peace with those who have wronged them, strengthen family ties, and do away with bad habits.  The Arabic word for “fasting” is “sawm” which literally means “to refrain” and it means not just to refrain from eating and drinking, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

“What is Ramadan?”  about.com.  19 Mar 2010

<http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm>.

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CLOTHING

Men’s Clothing

Most men in Saudi Arabia wear clothing that cover most of their body.  To foreign visitors, where people’s bodies are constantly shown, this may come as a shock.  In order to be welcomed as a foreigner, you should respect your host country’s customs, which means you must wear a thobe, which is a long, ankle length, flowing robe type garment.  In the summer or warmer weather the thobes will be lighter in color and in cooler weather they will be a darker color.

http://www.toursaudiarabia.com/images/1950-1.html 

“About Saudi Arabia’s Men’s Clothing.” mens-fashion.lovetoknow.com. 22 Mar 2010

<http://mens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/Saudi_Arabia_Mens_Clothing>. 

 

Women’s Clothing

Women wear a thobe as well.  They also wear an abaya which is a large, black cloak, worn either loose and flowing or wrapped around the body and is mostly made of silk or synthetic cloth.  They also wear a boshiya is a black veil, light in weight, worn across the lower part of the face.  The cotton or silk trousers worn by women under the thobe are called surwals.

“Traditional Saudi dress/clothing”  saudinf.com. 23 Mar 2010

<http://www.saudinf.com/main/q031.htm>.

  

Pictured above is an overhead abaya

http://kmazz.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/overhead_abaya_ha312.jpg