Arab culture
Middle Eastern traditions
Arab culture encompasses the traditions, values, arts, and social practices shared across Arabic-speaking peoples of the Middle East and North Africa.
Hospitality, family honor, and Islamic influence are central elements, though Arab Christians and secular communities also shape the culture.
Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and music represent distinctive artistic traditions.
The emphasis on generosity in Arab culture means guests are treated lavishly.
Regional variations are substantial—Egyptian, Gulf, and Levantine cultures differ markedly while sharing linguistic and historical ties.
Migratory way of life
- desertTo leave behind completely
- camelHumped desert mammal
- tentPortable fabric shelter
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
caravan · oasis · dunes · wadi · pastoralism · herding · migration · falconry
Mashed chickpea spread
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- shawarmaCarved rotating-spit meat
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
- kibbehBulgur and lamb preparation
baba ghanoush · ful medames · couscous · labneh · za'atar · sumac · tahini · halva
Ninth Islamic month
- EidIslamic holy celebration
- hennaPlant-derived body dye
- weddingsMarriage celebration events
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
poetry · proverbs · camel racing · falconry · thobe · kaftan · keffiyeh · ceremonies
Readiness to give freely
- guestsPeople received hospitably
- welcomingReceiving others warmly
- datesCalendar numbers or courtship
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
etiquette · warmth · graciousness · serving · incense · rosewater · hospitality tent · host
Original text before publication
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- ligatureCord for binding
- inkWriting fluid
parchment · vellum · penmanship · calligrapher · illumination · gilding · bismillah
Family line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
dynasties · artifacts · archaeology · manuscripts · preservation · heritage sites · oral history · folklore
oud
Aromatic heartwood or plucked instrument
- nayNegative vote
nomadism
Migratory way of life
tribe · caravan · oasis · dunes · wadi · pastoralism · herding · migration · falconry · sandscape
hummus
Mashed chickpea spread
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- shawarmaCarved rotating-spit meat
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
kibbeh · baba ghanoush · ful medames · couscous · labneh · za'atar · sumac · tahini · halva · baklava
Ramadan
Ninth Islamic month
festivals · poetry · proverbs · camel racing · falconry · thobe · kaftan · keffiyeh · ceremonies · rites
generosity
Readiness to give freely
feast · etiquette · warmth · graciousness · serving · incense · rosewater · hospitality tent · host · banquet
manuscript
Original text before publication
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- ligatureCord for binding
ink · parchment · vellum · penmanship · calligrapher · illumination · gilding · bismillah
belly dance
Torso-focused Middle Eastern movement
- sword danceChoreographed movement with weapons
ancestry
Family line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
antiquity · dynasties · artifacts · archaeology · manuscripts · preservation · heritage sites · oral history · folklore · mythology
- Middle EastIraq, Baghdad, Cairo, Iran, Jordan
- culturesMediterranean cultures, subculture, multicultural, counterculture, underground
- MediterraneanMediterranean Sea, olive grove, olive tree, olive, Aegean Sea
- MaghrebAlgeria, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Casablanca
- Arab nationalismGamal Abdel Nasser, Baath Party, Nasser, Arabization, Syria
Arab cultureWestern culture
European-originating civilization heritage
European culture · Chinese culture · Japanese culture · Latin American culture · American culture
Arab cultureWestern imperialism
European domination of foreign lands
culture, cultural, Arabic, Arabs, Arabian, Arab, Levantine, Maghreb, Gulf States