Culture of Bahrain

Most Bahrainis of African origin come from east Africa and have traditionally lived in Muharraq island and Riffa.

A smaller group of Sunni Bahraini citizens are descendants of naturalized Palestinian refugees and other Levant Arab immigrants.

Foreign-born inhabitants, comprising more than half of the population, are mostly from Iran, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Britain, and the United States.

Football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport, while traditional pastimes such as horse riding, and gazelle and hare hunting are still practiced by wealthier Bahrainis.

There is no significance placed on which kind the man wears in Bahrain, although this selection has implications in other Persian Gulf countries.

The agal is a thick, double, black cord that is worn on the top of the ghutra to hold it in place.

Most of the press is privately owned and is not subject to censorship as long as it refrains from criticizing the ruling family.

Arts include readings of the Quran, ceremonial dances accompanied by flat drums, and storytelling.

The poets of Bahrain are famous for their poetic verses and carry on established traditions while also exploring new themes.

Births and marriages call for wide-scale celebrations in Bahrain, which often are a pleasure to take part in.

Khaleeji is a style of Arab folk music from the Arabian Gulf area, played in Bahrain with polyrhythms.

Fidjeri is a musical repertoire performed traditionally by male pearl divers of Bahrain.

Liwa is a type of music and dance performed mainly in communities which contain descendants of East Africans, such as Muharraq and Hidd.

The ardha is a men's sword dance, which is accompanied by traditional drummers and a poet, who sings the lyrics.