CULTURES AND CUSTOMS

Cultures and Customs

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Yemen

· The cultural name of Yemen is Yemeni, and it is also known as South Arabian or al-Yamani. The name Yemen was acquired from a person by name Yaman, the son of Qahtan, an ancestor of the people of Yemen.

· Yemen consists of the Arab population, which is divided into the Sunni and the Shi'a Muslim groups. Other groups of people in this country include a small community of the Jews, Christians, and the Hindus. The Yemenis speak the Arabic language.

· The allegiance of Yemen is guided by the local land, faith, language, kinship, and a common culture. Male respect is also a very crucial aspect of Yemenis culture.

· Generally, the Yemenis eat up to three meals in a day, and their traditional meals vary from dates, herbs, spices, and porridge that is prepared from fenugreek with a combination of meat: lentils, sorghum, and peas re the staple food of the Yemenis. During occasions and ceremonies, the Yemenis eat heaped rice with either roasted or boiled goat or sheep meat.

· The primary economic activity of the Yemenis is agriculture, although most of their food needs are satisfied through imports. Other economic activities include weaving, dagger manufacturing, leather tanning, carpentry, among many others.

· In property ownership, the land in Yemen can be owned privately, communally, or owned by the state. The tribal area is communal and was used for grazing livestock.

· Primarily women in Yemen are seen as a subordinate who should only be involved with issues concerning domestic chores. Although the government have put in place laws to fight for the rights of women, gender disparity is still rampant in Yemen.

· Inheritance is given to the oldest son. But as per the Sharia laws in case of death of a husband, the widow inherits one-eighth of the property and one-sixth to his mother.

· Marriage is a common thing and mostly arranged by the family. A lady is suggested to the groom by a female relative. The father of the husband pays the dowry for the proposed girl. Marriage to a cousin is recommended in Yemen.

Egypt

· The culture name of Egypt is Arab Egyptian, and its official name is the Arab Republic of Egypt.

· The Arabic speech is language affiliate of Egypt which became part of the Egyptian society after the conquest by the Muslims.

· The main symbol of unity in Egypt is the semiformal spears of the history of Egypt. The pharaonic pyramids being the main symbol that the Egyptians identify with.

· Bread is the most crucial food commodity for Egyptians, which is baked in mud ovens in rural areas by women. The traditional food is foul, which is the national dish of Egypt made from legumes and other ingredients. Different occasions in Egypt have different meals. For instance, during ‘ID al-Fitr they celebrate by baking cookies covered in powdered sugar.

· Agriculture in Egypt does better than in other countries, and thus, Egyptians practice farming, among other economic activities such as manufacturing and tourism, which is the primary source of foreign income in Egypt.

· In Egypt, the woman is given priority to choose their marriage partners, although other parties are involved in making the decision; her opinion is considerably put into consideration. Pressure for marriage is very high in this country for premarital sex is rare. This is because of the Islamic faith, which is the main religion in Egypt.

· On issues of inheritance in Egypt, the sharia law also applies, and the property of the dead should be divided among the children and spouse of the deceased. The sons receive twice as much of the share of their sisters.

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