Culture is described as the total sum of all learned behavior of a group of people. The people consider those behaviors as their tradition and are transmitted from one generation to another. Saudi Arabia has an enriched culture contributed to the heritage of the Islamic religion, its past function as the center of old trade and the tradition of the Bedouin. This country has maintained a constant development for the last few decenniums. Its culture varies from handicrafts to costumes to ethnic dishes (Long 76). The people of Saudi Arabia have incorporated the traditions, values, hospitality, customs, and even their way of clothing, and they have preserved them up to now. Its location at the center of the old trade route helped the people of Arabia to be enriched by various civilizations. This essay will discuss the Arabian culture in details.

Dress

Saudi Arabians favors traditional clothes over western dressing styles. The location of the kingdom in a hot and windswept climate and this makes loose flowing traditional garments practical in this region. These garments also help to keep the Islamic ideal of modesty (Intercultures). The standard clothes for men include a shirt that touches the ankle made of cotton or wool. In the head, they put on a big square fabric (ghutra) that is usually diagonally folded over a head cap (Kufiyyah). A cord-like circlet (igaal) holds it in place (Vassiliev 147). The outfit is completed by the cloak worn on the outside (bisht) that is mostly made of camel hair or wool. In the past, the Arabian men also utilized it as a traveling blanket.

Women mostly put on a black outer cape (abaya) on top of their dress that can also be a current fashion. The women of Saudi have a tradition of putting on a Shayla, which is a black transparent scarf that they wrap around their head and secure it with jewelry, circlets or hats on their heads. They use sequins, coins or brightly colored fabric materials to decorate their dress (Long 98). Most women also put on veils that are made of thin materials. The practice of wearing veil is an old doctrine that backs nearly three millennia ago before the coming the of Islam religion. In the hostile desert environment, a thin veil proves to be conducive to protecting the women from constant exposure to the sun. The sun can damage their skin and eyes. Currently, the veil represents a sign of modesty and virtue (Long and Sebastian 129). Jewelry forms a significant part of the Saudis’ clothing for several years. Apart from decoration jewelry represents economic and social status.

Language

The Saudi Arabians use Arabic as the official language although English is also widely spoken. They use it in businesses, and it’s a compulsory second language in school teaching curriculum (Al-Saggaf and Kirsty 17). Many non-Saudi populations speak Urdu, which is the official language in Pakistan. They also use other Asian languages such as Turkish and Farsi. Around 200 million people speak the Arabian language in more than 22 countries. It’s believed to be the authorized language of the sacred book of Islam the Quran, and Arab literature and poetry (Al-Rasheed 145). The spoken Arabic differs from states to states, but there is no change in the initial Arabic for many centuries. There exist differences in the spoken dialects in town and that spoken in the countryside. The Saudis utilization of their language represents the value they place on their culture.

Religion

People of Saudi Arabia for many centuries have maintained a strong identification with the beliefs of the Islam. Saudi Arabia is a contemporary country that follows Islam and it respects its Arab tradition and heritage (Countries and Their Cultures). It also strives vigorously in the service of Islam as it fights for the wellbeing of its occupants. Islam, represent one of the globe’s greatest atheistic religion that has its heartland in Saudi Arabia. Islam followers known as Muslims believe in God called Allah and they also believe that Mohammed is His prophet. Currently, the people who embrace Islam as their religion worldwide which represents many cultures and races are over one billion in number. In history, this country has occupied a significant place in the world of Islam (Long 123). The main reason is that it houses Makah, and the shrine of Islam believed to be the most sacred (kaabah). It’s situated in the holy mosque that Muslims worldwide turns devoutly in prayer five times a day.

Relationships

Cultural homogeneity represents a high degree characterization of the Saudi Arabian population. This cultural homogeneity is found in the interaction of attitudes and values illustrated in the setup of the family and the society tribe of the Arabian. In specific, these beliefs and values were demonstrated by the good relation with the family members and the other community members. The most significant institution in Saudi Arabia was the family (Long and Sebastian 144). Family formed the basis for identification of a person, and it was also the next focus of the personal loyalty. There was the formation of alignments among families that shared common lifestyle and interests. Socialization of the individuals was supposed to take place within the circle of the alliances that were formed by the family.

In Saudi Arabia, the structure of the family was in line with that of the lineage of the tribe. The Saudis’ families were supposed to be patrilineal which meant that the limits of the membership of the family were drawn to the descent line from males (Al-Saggaf and Kirsty 21).   The relationship with the maternal relatives was significant, but the family identification remained linked to the man. The children belonged to the man and not to the woman. At its lowest level, the family can, for this reason, be described as consisting the father, his children and the children of his children via patrilineal descents.

Marriage.

Marriage is a respected institution in Saudi Arabia. The patrilineal family structure is in line with and regulated by the laws of the Islam. They viewed marriage as a civil contract but not as a sacrament. It had to be signed by witnesses, and the husband paid a specified amount of money to the wife to act as the bride price (Long 132). It also sometimes included an additional amount that was supposed to be paid at the time of divorce if at all it happened. The agreement could also add other conditions such as reassuring the woman the divorce right should the man think of marrying another woman (Al-Rasheed 289). The issue of divorce could only be initiated by the man as he is the owner of the children. It was legally right for a wife or a mother to detach from her children if the husband wished that.

Married women could be accepted into the man’s household but not into the family of the man. A married woman could not take the name of her man but kept her father’s name as legally the woman belonged to their birth family throughout their lives. Women were allowed to retain their maidens name and take control over their personal property by the Islamic law. It also served as the indicator of woman’s independence from the husband’s control (Long and Sebastian 213). It was legally right for the woman’s closest relatives such as her father or her brother to support her if she was widowed or divorced. Divorce was the order of the day. Men could marry up to four wives. Because of the husbands divorce rights, polygyny, child custody, women in Saudi Arabia appeared to be disadvantaged in the marriage.

Food

The Saudi Arabians local cuisine relies heavily on the style of food that is very popular in many of the Middle East countries. It originated from the traditional diet of the Bedouin nomads that was prepared using the readily available ingredients such as vegetables, beans, wheat, rice, yogurt, dates, chicken and lamb (Vassiliev 178). It reflects the preferences of food by the Muslims. Modern Arabic food also gets a lot of influences from Lebanon and Iran as well as from the trading partners such as India. International food such as French, American, Chinese and Italian are also available at restaurants in the bigger towns and cities (Marger 467). Just as it is with other Muslim countries, pork and pork products are never served as it’s considered an unclean meat. The accepted meats should come from animals that Saudi Board in accordance with the Muslim law. Going back from the Bedouin times, Saudi people traditionally eat lightly in the morning and at midday with a larger meal in the evening. This pattern has changed slightly with the modern world. For many people, the meal following the Friday prayers is the week’s family gathering.

Government

The Saudi’s government is a monarchy. The King tops the government, and he is also the commander in chief of the military. Due to the many duties that the King performs, he appoints a crown prince to help him (Al-Saggaf and Kirsty 19). The crown prince occupies the second line on the throne. The king is assisted by the council of ministers also referred to as the cabinet to rule. There exist twenty-two ministries of government that form section of the Muslim. Each ministry performs a unique function in the government

A body of legislation known as the Consultative Council helps in advising the king. It forms new laws and help in amending the current ones. Its membership is around 150 whose the king appoints for a term of four years that can be renewed. The kingdom has 13 provinces, with a governor and his deputy in each one (Marger 474). All the provinces have their councils that give advice to the governor and address the development issues in the provinces. The Saudi Arabia’s system of judiciary is founded on laws of Islam. The King heads the legal system. Unlike other countries, the Saudi’s King is the final court of appeal and is responsible for issuing pardons. The kingdom has its courts. The Sharia is the biggest courts, and they are responsible for hearing most of the cases in the legal system of Saudi Arabia.

Politics

The Saudi Arabia’s modern kingdom was formed in 1932 by Ibn Saud. The kingdom is a hereditary monarchy. The son of Ibn Saud King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has been ruling since 2005 although since 1996 he has been regent due to his brothers king farad illness. The son of the king Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is the crown prince who also holds the position of the prime minister (Vassiliev 164). The document referred to as Basic Law of Governance outlines the responsibilities and rights of the government were formed in 1992 by the royal decree. In the branch of the executive, the King serves as the state’s chief, prime minister, government’s head and he is also the chief commander of the military. Because the kingdom is hereditary, there is no need for election role. The cabinet of the king is appointed by him after every four years, and it consists many members of his family.

The branch of legislation comprises of a Consultative Council, which gives advice to the king on significant issues to the country. The membership of the council is 150 appointed by the king for a term of four years which can be renewed. Depending on their knowledge, the members are put to different committees. In the branch of the judiciary, the governing and administration of the justice is in relation to the laws of Islam. The court system of Saudi includes three main parts (Al-Rasheed 211). The biggest is the sharia courts that is responsible for hearing most of the cases in this country. Forming supplements to the sharia courts is the Grievances’ Board that hear only cases affecting the government. The third section of this country court system includes the different committees within the ministries of the government that deals with particular issues such as the labor. The supreme council of justice consisting of 12 senior jurists represents the judicial branch of government (Intercultures). A system of various religious courts whose judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the supreme judicial council administers justice. The King tops in the court of appeal, and he has the power to pardon. There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia.

Economics

Free market economy of Saudi Arabia has gone through significant changes in a proportionally short duration. It has developed from a simple agricultural based country into world economic contributor. Petroleum forms the main backbone of this country’s economy. It is the ranked as the biggest in producing and exporting oil in the globe (Marger, 478). In recent decades, the kingdom has concentrated in the process of diversifying its economic resources. Currently, it is producing and exporting various goods in the whole world.

The Saudi Arabia’s government is playing an integral role in the economic and industrial development. Economic and Planning ministries formulates social and economic development plans used in setting long-term objectives. The individual departments oversee other sectors of the economy. These ministries include energy, agriculture, transportation, finance and communication (Long 56).   The private sector contributes a lot to expanding the economy of the Saudi Arabia. It is now accounting for around 48% of the gross domestic product (GDP). There is expectation that this sector will continue to grow especially now that this country has opened its doors for more foreign investments. Saudi Arabia decided to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December, 2005 (Long 57).   This step is a major development that accords this country larger accessibility to the world markets, creating jobs, and encouraging foreign investments.

Customs

Saudis customs are based on the teachings of Islam and the Arab traditions, which they learn about when they are young from their family members and while schooling. The major yearly outlines include the Hajj and Ramadan season that is considered to be a sacred month. The outlines also include the national holidays that come after the sacred month. During the sacred month, all Muslims practice fasting from sunrise to sunset and it peaks with the holiday of Eid-Al-Fitr (Al-Saggaf and Kirsty 26). In this holiday, it is culturally right to purchase garments and gifts for one’s children and also to go visiting relatives and friends. The other significant outline of the year represents the season of the Hajj. At this season, thousands of Muslim’s believers from all over the globe visit Makkah. This season culminates with the holiday of Eid-Al-Adha, in which it’s customary for the family members to consider slaughtering a sheep as a remembrance of Abraham’s obedience of sacrificing his son.

Arab customs have a significant influence on the life of Saudis’. The olden customs have developed over the centuries, and they are respected. These customs include being hospitable and generous that all people in Saudi are expected to express to friends and strangers (Countries and Their Cultures).   The most common way of expressing of generosity is by offering someone a cup of coffee. The way the coffee is prepared is a deep cultural expression, and it’s usually served in small cups accompanied by sweets and dates (Long and Sebastian 188). The other significant gesture of hospitality is the burning if incense as a way of welcoming visitors. Saudi customs are unique especially when compared with those from non-Muslims states.

Beliefs

Most of the Saudi Arabians beliefs are based in the Islamic religion. All Saudi Arabians are Muslims, but there is a small exception of the minority Shia. The main daily rituals are based on the daily five prayers that comprise one of the five pillars of the Islam. When they pray, they look at the side of Mecca, particularly while in a mosque. The hajj also forms one of the five pillars, and it’s expected to be done at least once in a person’s lifetime (Al-Saggaf and Kirsty 18). People also make visits to tomb and mosque of Mohammed in Medina. The other three important Islam pillars include proclaiming that there exist no other God and Mohammed is His Messenger. The other one is fasting in the sacred month of Ramadan. The last pillar represents the practice of giving of alms. Saudi Arabians have their unique beliefs about death (Al-Rasheed 245). They believe in washing the dead, wrapping them in seamless garments and burying them in graves that face Mecca with no coffins. The burial should be done before dusk on the day of the burial. There is a belief that the dead go to heaven or hell

Education

Education in Saudi Arabia is a necessity for everyone irrespective of their gender. The Sacred Quran and the practices and teachings of Prophet Muhammed affirm the significance of education. In many centuries ago, most of the Muslim countries started schools, libraries and universities that were different from any other in the globe (Vassiliev 159). During the time when European countries were in a predicament, Islamic states became learning centers. This education played significant roles in many sectors of education. The methods that the scholars and Muslim’s scientists pioneered in this period became the basis of the modern sciences and were taught in many universities in Europe until the 18th century. The Quran teachings about the importance of education helped to transform the education system of Saudi Arabia.

Music/Art

Saudi Arabia’s base folklore on the theme of unity and groups. It consisted of enthusiastic songs and games that represent the Arab customs and traditions. Saudis citizens consider the folklore as pride that they inherit from one generation to another (Al-Rasheed 245). Souk Okaz represents one of the markets where the Arabs used to meet for trading and presenting poems and speeches in the past. Today, the place is used as the same historic location for presenting unique poetry, artistic and historical meeting. Folklores are organized at Souk Okaz. The

Arabs consider the kingdom as the home for Arab poetry and poets since ancient’s times. The most famous Saudi poets used the country suburb and desert to compose beautiful poetry. The poetry takes its place in the history of the literary world (Countries and Their Cultures). They help to convey the message of pride, horse riding, and wisdom. Poetry has found its ways in the modern world due to the unification role it plays in the country. The poetry also helped in marking the country’s achievement and development. The Saudi kingdom has plenty of buildings that display the distinctive architectural designs heritage of the country. The buildings methods of construction and shapes differ from province to another.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has managed to preserve its rich cultural heritage over the years. They respect their culture and are dedicated to following it. Religion has played a significant role in the preservation of Saudi’s culture. Apart from Islam religion, its historical roles as the old trade center and the traditions and customs of its Bedouin significantly influenced its culture. The Kingdom has a different diversity of its cultural tradition differing from one province to another, and each represents the early social life of its locals. Saudi Arabia represents one of the few countries that have been able to preserve its culture.

Work Cited

Al-Rasheed, Madawi. A history of Saudi Arabia. Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Al-Saggaf, Yeslam, and Kirsty Williamson. “Online communities in Saudi Arabia: Evaluating the impact on culture through online semi-structured interviews.” Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research. Vol. 5. No. 3. 2004.

Countries and Their Cultures. Culture of Saudi Arabia, 2015. Web. 5th Feb, 2015.

Intercultures. Cultural Information-Saudi Arabia, 2009. Web. 5th Feb, 2015.

Long, David E. Culture and customs of Saudi Arabia. Penn State Press, 2005.

Long, David E., and Sebastian Maisel. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. University Press of Florida, 2010.

Marger, Martin N. Race and ethnic relations: American and global perspectives. Cengage Learning, 2011.

Vassiliev, Alexei. The History of Saudi Arabia. Saqi, 2013.