Culture and society in the UAE

Template Research Project – SOC-101 Intro to Sociology Term Paper Course name: Intro. to Sociology Course code: SOC-101 Section code: First Name(s): Family Name(s): Student ID: Topic number: Introduction The United Arab Emirates ( UAE) is divided into seven emirates of unique attractiveness. The UAE is rightly famous for its Mega tall buildings, fast-moving cars, and mind-blowing technological advancement. However, despite all this cover-up, the UAE has much heritage apportioned to traditions. These customs, which are observed, stem from the Bedouin culture and Islamic culture (Al-Khazraji, 2009). Despite all these transformations that have adopted modern life, the people of UAE still have embraced their culture. We will discuss many unique traditions of the UAE in this paper, along with why they are of such concern and how they are preserved. 2 – Antithesis Explaining What Makes The Emirati Culture Unique. The desert has a strong influence on the culture of the UAE. A long time ago, the Emirati people were living in the desert environments of the United Arab Emirates. This made them help each other. Some of them include; they were friendly, which means they were hospitable to their visitors. This is still very important today. They will present you with coffee and dates when they host you at their house. This is what they call gahwa, and it symbolizes the respect and sanctity of a friendship (Barnwell & Morton, 2017; Baycar, 2022). Another thing about Emirati culture is the Majlis, which is very special to this culture. This is a sitting area through which families and friends can share stories, make decisions, and find solutions. This is a social site where everyone can treat each other respectfully. These traditions remain alive despite the fact that life in the UAE has become contemporary (Barnwell & Morton, 2017; Baycar, 2022). The Meaning of Traditional Clothes in UAE UAE clothing goes past the standard conception of body coverages; they communicate, too. Moreover, previously, male citizens wore long white gowns called Kandura, while female citizens wore long black robes known as Abaya. These clothes do not fit around the waist and are ideal for the desert area's hot climate. They also act humble, which Islamic values in not exposing themselves or wearing provocative clothes, hence hiding their body (Marifatullah & Marifatullah, 2018). Today, young Emiratis enjoy wearing these clothes. On special occasions, women incorporate the cut works of art into the Abaya. These are not mere garments; they signify Emirati cultural heritage, A kind of pride (Marifatullah & Marifatullah, 2018). Celebrations and Holidays The UAE has many celebrations that highlight its culture. There are two main celebrations: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. These are Islamic days when people go home to feast, pay their respects, and give to people experiencing poverty. Friends and family members exchange gifts, and children take confectionery articles. During these holidays, people learn kindness and sharing, which are enormous values in Emirati society, as Baycar (2022) mentioned. Another considerable celebration is being held on National Day on 2nd December. This is the year that the UAE was formed as one nation in 1971. There are celebrations such as parades, fireworks, and dances from the country, like the Al Ayala. This dance involves men who use sticks and are choreographed to swing and move in harmony, indicating strength (Baycar, 2022). Traditions that Still Prevails Even though the UAE is relatively modern, citizens are indeed engaged in activities of the past. One such tradition is camel racing. The race has gained a reputation as the "sport of kings" and is preferred by most Emiratis (The Racecourse, 2024). Another longstanding procedure is known as falconry. It demonstrates that feeding the birds is a process that requires patience for hunting. These activities engage people's memories and teach them about Bedouin culture (Barnwell & Morton, 2017). Due to topographical and geographical barriers, the UAE government also strives to maintain these traditions. Moreover, it is now in this circumstance that there are festivals such as the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival where people can learn about the old ways. The children of today’s Emirati generation are educated on their past so they can never forget who and what they are (Barnwell & Morton, 2017; Baycar, 2022). Religion and Daily Life A large portion of the population in the UAE is religious. People are taught how to live their lives, what to eat, and even what clothes to wear from the Islamic religion. Mosques are around every corner and are not just a place to pray. Other reasons include learning and the purpose of meeting others. The adhan, or the call to prayer, is made five times daily and draws people's attention to their core belief system (Barnwell & Morton, 2017). Muslim people have an extraordinary time in the year during Ramadan. This month, individuals do not eat or drink any food or fluids from when they wake up to the evening. They do not take food and water throughout the day to have a closer...