Culture of the United Arab Emirates

[6] Artifacts uncovered in the UAE show a history of human habitation, transmigration, and trade spanning over 125,000 years.

[7] The area was previously home to the Magan people[8] known to the Sumerians, who traded with both coastal towns and bronze miners and smelters from the interior.

[10] The UAE's official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken due to the country's diverse nature and economic globalization.

[11][12][13] Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and Mandarin are also widely spoken by expatriates from Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.

Inland, more permanent houses were built of stone guss with roofs made from palm tree leaves.

Fossilized coral, cut in blocks, bonded with sarooj or a seashell-derived lime mixture, and plastered with chalk and water paste, was used extensively in coastal regions.

These foods, along with key spices, such as cinnamon, saffron, and turmeric, form the basis of both historical and modern Emirati cuisine.

Due to the cosmopolitan nature of the United Arab Emirates, the most popular street-side snack is the Middle-Eastern shawarma.

[32]These customs reflect the UAE's strong cultural traditions and the importance of respect, hospitality, and community in Emirati society.

Initially, the generation that emerged in the early 1900s did not have any official education, but they made significant contributions to Emirati literature, especially in the style of Arabic poetry known as qaṣīdah.

Second, as the UAE's population moved from rural to urban areas in the middle of the 20th century, their literary expressions also changed.

Finally, a golden age of Emirati poets is represented by the post-oil, modern generation, who were primarily educated at universities.

[34] Themes in Emirati poetry are diverse, ranging from satire, self-praise, and patriotism, to chivalry, religion, family, and love.

Both types of Emirati drama add distinctive viewpoints and creative expressions to the UAE's cultural scene, despite their difficulties in gaining general recognition.

Journalism was crucial in developing Emirati writing in the 1970s and 80s, especially in the field of short tales, as newspapers and magazines offered spaces for publishing and promoting these works.

Yowlah, a type of music and dance also known as Al-Ayyala, has been registered by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.

Emirati football clubs Al-Ain, Al-Wasl, Al Nasr, Al-Sharjah, Al-Wahda, and Shabab Al-Ahli are the most popular teams and enjoy reputations as long-time regional champions.

[45] Recognized by UNESCO as living human heritage, falconry has evolved into a revered sport and cultural tradition within the UAE.

Through events such as the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), the UAE government actively supports and promotes falconry, highlighting its value as a sport and a treasured heritage.The importance of falconry in the United Arab Emirates is further highlighted by the existence of specialist institutions like the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.

[48] Inhabitants of Arab States of the Persian Gulf have enjoyed camel racing for many years, and it is considered a traditional sport.