United Arab Emirates Culture and Society - Research Paper Example

United Arab Emirates: Culture and Society Introduction The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of the seven small emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, and Fujairah (Halaf, 2012). It covers 32,278 square miles (83,600 square kilometers) and is located in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. It shares land borders with Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE has a dry climate with very high temperature and humidity during summer. The official language in the UAE is Arabic. However, due to migrations from Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, other popular languages spoken in the country are English, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, and Filipino. Halaf (2012) asserted that the celebration of the National Day in UAE epitomizes unity and cooperation in the modern Arab world, as concretized in the use of the family to symbolize oneness and solidarity. In addition to this, the colors of the national flag—green, red, white, and black—are shared with other Arab countries. Other cultural symbols embedded are the falcon, the camel, the Arabian horse, the pearling boat, the coffeepot, and the date palm (Halaf, 2012). In this paper, we intend to delve deeper into the culture and society of the UAE by looking at various facets that define the country such as history, economy, lifestyle, and societal and familial norms. Through this study, we aim to understand the country from multi-layered perspectives. A. Two Main Orientations Shaping Emirati Culture It is claimed that before the establishment of the oil economy in the early 1960s, there were two main orientations that had shaped Emirati culture: first, the nomadic desert-oriented Bedouins who focused on small oasis farming; and second, the sea-oriented locals who popularized pearling and sea trading. Both subcultures have helped in the formation of the country’s cultural identity as people know it today. As UAE Interact (n.d.) highlighted, the migration of Arab tribes to the UAE has shaped the type of farming that is unique only to the country. Some of the major tribes that roamed the sandy areas were Bani Yas, Awamir, and Manasir. Families from these tribes usually returned to a home in one of the oasis settlements at certain times of the year. Such homes, as further noted by UAE Interact (n.d.), had date gardens which were cultivated in the hollows of huge dunes which usually tap the water beneath the absorbent sands. In places such as AI Ain and other oases, luxuriant date gardens are used wherein an efficient traditional irrigation system which the water from aquifers in the mountains. Eventually, pearling boomed in the country that brought the increase in urbanization in the coastal town and villages. As Halaf (2012) pointed out, the commercial production of oil triggered rapid population growth as it provided significant improvements in diet, health care, and living standards. These phenomena led to the demand for foreign workforce, comprised primarily of male laborers. Thus, the country’s demand for these workers has turned the UAE into a multi-ethnic society. As further noted by Halaf (2012), this created settlements of different ethnic groups from other Asian countries along the trade routes. All of these changes have created an imbalanced population composition in favor of males. At this point, it can be claimed that although pearling and sea trading popularized in the UAE, the skills of desert life are still held by the locals in high esteem. It forms an integral part of Emirati lifestyle and is now incorporated into the country’s tourism program—foreign visitors can experience the desert life by participating in a range of organized desert trips that involve transport by four-wheel drive vehicles, camels, and horses. B. Modernization and Culture Preservation The rise of oil economy in the UAE has helped transform the mud-walled communities into commercial centers and business hubs (Halaf, 2012). Coastal capital cities became city states. This is specifically true for Abu Dhabi, the country’s capital. As UAE Travel Guide (n.d.) asserted, Abu Dhabi can be deemed as one of the most modern cities in the world. Dominant urban features which include skyscrapers, multi-story residential buildings, large shopping malls, wide boulevards, and extensive network of highways are located in the city. However, due the country’s multi-ethnic composition, the government opted to segregate housing areas for the locals and for the foreigners. Housing, in this sense, is sub-divided further according to class, social power, ethnicity, and nationality (Halaf, 2012). To maintain the Arabic orientation of the UAE, city government officials enacted policies that demanded Arab-Islamic architectural design in all public and private infrastructures, particularly in arched windows, gates, and decorative stucco. Preservation of the urban heritage can be also seen in the renovation of old forts, palaces, souks, and mosques. Date palm trees have also been implanted extensively along the city roadsides. C. Food and Economy The primary diet of the people in UAE consisted mainly of fish, rice, bread, dates, yogurt, homegrown vegetables, and meat from sheep, goat, and camel. However, such diet has improved as modern supermarkets began importing foods. Lunch is the main family meal and is eaten at home at around two o’clock (Halaf, 2012). It consists of fish, rice, meat, and a vegetable dish. As regards table manners, many Emiratis prefer the traditional style of eating with the right hand. There are strict Muslim taboos against eating pork and drinking alcohol; and the meat must be slaughtered, cooked, and served in accordance to the Islamic halal method. Emiratis are known all over the world for their hospitality, as noted by Halaf (2012). In this regard, they feel blessed whenever they receive friends or when they are able to socialize with acquaintances and relatives. As such, house guests are welcomed with coffee and fresh dates; and incense is passed around so that the guests can catch the fragrance. In terms of UAE’s basic economy, it can be said that its GDP is among the highest in the world, with varying contribution in oil revenues among the emirates, with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah producing the most oil. The other emirates have benefitted from oil wealth through the federal welfare system and employment in state institutions. With declining oil prices, the Emirati government has attempted to diversify the national economy. This has led to the growth of industry, construction, commerce, free trade zones, transportation, tourism, farming, fisheries, and communications (Halaf, 2012). Through these initiatives, the UAE has developed various ways to run its economy apart from the oil industry. Nonetheless, it is still worth noting that the contribution of oil in the economy of the UAE is still immense. In this regard, the UAE, being a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is claimed as the third largest exporter of crude oil and gas in the Gulf. Looking at the country’s labor force, local citizens account for 10 percent of the total labor force (Halaf, 2012). In this light, majority of locals work for the government due to the attractive benefits. They are usually stationed in sectors like education, army, an civil service (Halaf, 2012). Immigrants, on the other hand, are employed both in the public and the private sectors for manual, technical, and professional occupations. D. Government The UAE is run by a federal type of government which is made up of several components: the president and his deputy, the Supreme Council, the cabinet, the Federal National Council, and an independent judiciary with a federal supreme court (Halaf, 2012). The Supreme Council has both legislative and executive powers while the cabinet consists of ministers who came from the ruling families of the emirates. In this regard, political dynasty operates in each emirate wherein the members of the ruling families occupy the most important positions in their respective political organizations. While the political system in the UAE continues to retain some of its traditional values at formal and informal levels, it has been able to keep pace with various economic and social changes as being brought about by innovations in technology and communications. E. Social Stratification Emirati society is divided into two social categories: the locals who are referred to as Al-Muwateneen, and the foreign immigrants, who are called the incomers or Al-Wafedeen . As for the locals, Halaf (2012) stated that, “citizens are usually subdivided into four main social classes: (1) the ruling sheikhly families, whose members hold the highest political positions and power and have immense wealth and prestige, (2) the merchant class, known as al-tujjar , traditionally pearling merchants who now sell international consumer goods, (3) the new middle class, represented by increasing numbers of professionals who have benefitted from free state education, and (4) the low-income groups, represented by newly settled Bedouin nomads and former pearl divers and oasis farmers”. As for the foreign immigrants, Halaf (2012) noted that “there are hierarchical groups that receive different economic and social rewards: (1) top professionals and technocrats with international contracts, who earn high salaries and other benefits; (2) middle-range professionals such as school teachers, skilled technicians, and company salesmen; and (3) low-paid semi-skilled and unskilled workers, primarily Asian.” In general, locals get to experience more benefits in terms of state law enforcements and business regulations as compared to the foreign immigrants. To further concretize this social stratification, symbols are specifically used. The symbol of a male national is seen most visibly in the traditional dress of male locals, comprised of a white robe or kandoura and a white head cloth or ghutrah with a black rope or aqal. Women, on the other hand, wear long dresses with a head cover called hijab and black cloak called abayah. F. Social Welfare Programs The development of social infrastructures has led to the construction of a welfare system that offers womb-to-tomb free ‘state services’ for all locals (Halaf, 2012). Such services are comprised of health care services, free education up to the tertiary level, social security offers, family allowances, subsided electricity and water, and housing for the low-income tiers. The foreign immigrants also benefit from government assistance, especially in medical care. G. Marriage, Family, and Kinship In terms of marriage, arranged marriage within the kinship (tribal) units has changed after the pre-oil period. Individuals today, thus, have more freedom on whom to marry. However, many nationals still prefer arranged marriages. Local Emiratis, however, are strongly discouraged from marrying non-locals, and a young man receives $19,000 from the Marriage Fund if he marries a national. As prescribed by Islam, a man is allowed up to four wives, but most men have only one wife (Halaf, 2012). In terms of the domestic units, the traditional household unit of the extended family has been reduced over the past years, as over 80 percent of national households live as nuclear families in their own houses. Large families, composed of six and eight children, are advocated by the state as a national policy (Halaf, 2012). Due to various social influences, it can be said that the power of the husband within the family is slowly declining while the wife is garnering more power in the family. On an average, family employs two live-in domestic servants which are usually Asian. In terms of kin groups, the UAE society is family-and kin-oriented. Tribal kinship units play a significant role in social identification and one's standing in the community. H. Socialization Children in UAE are usually showered with love, care, affection, and physical contact by their parents and siblings. Thus, “they are raised to be respectful toward their parents and elders and grow up to be skilled in interaction with a large number of relatives” (Halaf, 2012). Up to age 5, a child is referred to as jahel or “the one who does not know”. Most families employ maids to help in child rearing, which caused the infusion of foreign cultural elements to child socialization. Alongside the influence of the family, the school has also taken undertaken a greater initiative in shaping the children’s view of themselves and of the world. I. Etiquette Social customs are shared throughout the Gulf Arab countries. An Islamic greeting “al-salam alaykom” is the most appropriate expression of courtesy. Men follow this with a quick nose-to-nose touch while shaking hands (Halaf, 2012). Women, on the other hand, greet each other by kissing several times on both cheeks. In addition to this, men do not have physical contact with women in public. Also, it is essential to ask about the health of a person and his or her family several times jumping into any conversation. As further added by Halaf (2012), the use first names in a conversation is strictly forbidden and is replaced by "father or mother of (the oldest son)." Respect and courtesy are shown to the elders and in their presence young men are expected to listen more and speak less. Sex segregation is still evident in social life. Men are entertained in majlis or a large living room with a separate entrance, while women socialize with their friends at their homes. As in other Asian countries, it is customary to take off one's shoes before entering a private house. As Halaf (2012) further commented, “Emiratis stand close to each other when interacting. It is acceptable for men or women to hold hands. The presence of many ethnic groups has led Emiratis to be tolerant of other social customs, yet they remain conscious of their own customs as markers of cultural identity”. Bibliography Halaf, S. (2012). United Arab Emirates. Retrieved 30 May 2012 from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/United-Arab-Emirates.html#b. UAE Interact. (n.d.). Traditional UAE Culture. Retrieved 30 May 2012 from http://www.uaeinteract.com/culture/. UAE Travel Guide (n.d.). UAE. Retrieved 30 May 2012 from http://emiratesvoyage.com/uae-guide/uae-people-culture/. Read More