Culture of Qatar
The peninsula's harsh climate has historically shaped the lifestyle of its inhabitants, driving a reliance on the sea for sustenance and fostering a distinct emphasis on maritime activities within local culture.
Nomadic pastoralism, principally of camels, and pearl fishing were once cornerstone livelihoods, with the Bedouin and Hadar (settled) communities each contributing unique customs and social structures.
Traditionally, Islamic culture's aversion to depicting sentient beings limited the role of paintings in Qatari society, favoring instead art forms such as calligraphy, architecture, and textiles.
Artists such as Jassim Zaini, Yousef Ahmad, Salman Al Malik, Faraj Daham and Ali Hassan pioneered the transition from traditional to global styles.
[17] For the last twenty years, several members of the Al Thani family have led Qatar's interest and involvement in arts and continue to shape the country's cultural policy.
Recurring motifs in Qatari folklore include djinn, pearl diving, and the sea, often serving as allegories for broader cultural values such as bravery, perseverance, and the importance of community.
While poetry, notably the nabati form, remained relevant, other literary genres gained prominence, reflecting changing societal dynamics, including increased female participation in the modern literature movement.
[30] Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani's reign in the late 19th century saw early efforts to fund the printing of Islamic texts, laying the groundwork for literary investments.
[30] Regarding modern literature, Qatar saw the popularization of short stories and novels in the 1970s, providing platforms for both male and female writers to explore societal norms and cultural values.
[56] Plays like Ommul Zain (1975) by Abdulrahman Al-Mannai have addressed generational conflicts arising from Qatar's rapid development,[57] while others like Ibtisam in the Dock (1985) and Girls Market offer critical perspectives on arranged marriages and societal norms.
[68] Sheikha Al Mayassa's founding of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) has been pivotal in providing funding, production services, and educational programs to support local and international filmmakers.
[70] As Qatar is a highly arid country,[71] the traditional ways of life were confined either to nomadic pastoralism practiced by the Bedouins of the interior and to fishing and pearling, which was engaged in by the relatively settled coastal dwellers, who are called hadar and who formed the majority of the population.
In the north, despite the tribes leading more sedentary lives, comprehensive livestock inventories could be found, comprising camels, sheep, goats, a few cows, and donkeys for transportation.
[92] Other important dishes include mathruba, which is rice beaten with cardamom, milk, butter, and any choice of meat, until it turns into porridge form;[92] thareed, consists of bread soaked in vegetable, spices, and chicken/lamb stew;[93] harees, which is meat beaten with boiled ground wheat, until it turns into porridge form;[94] and balaleet, a sweet and savory dish usually eaten for breakfast or as a dessert, which includes vermicelli cooked with sugar, rose water, cardamom, and saffron, and topped with omelet eggs.
Initial efforts targeted basic needs like electricity, water, healthcare, and education, albeit with a significant portion of oil revenues redirected to the ruler's personal treasury.
His successor, Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, furthered this trend, significantly increasing social aid, housing benefits, and salary increments.
Societal divisions exist depending on the origin of the foreigner, with Europeans, North Americans, and Arabs typically securing better job opportunities and social privileges than sub-Saharan Africans and South Asians.
[128] A distinctive social tradition among the Persian Gulf people involves communal gatherings at what is known as a majlis, where friends and neighbors convene to discuss matters of mutual interest over cups of Arabic coffee.
[130] In addition to its social and educational roles, the majlis serves as a form of media, disseminating news, Islamic culture, and literary works through oral storytelling, poetry recitations, and readings of religious texts.
On 4 December 2015, the majlis was inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in a joint file involving the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman, and Qatar.
[134] In modern Qatari society, the tradition of Arabic coffee remains vibrant, with majlises serving as contemporary hubs for socializing and discussion, reminiscent of historical coffeehouses.
Throughout the region, oud manifests in various forms, including wooden incense blocks, body oils, and perfumes, becoming an integral part of Arab households and ceremonial occasions.
Fashioned from fragrant woods, it is ceremonially ignited within a specialized vessel called a mabkhara, emitting a lavish smoke that fills the home and imbues clothing with its aromatic essence.
Other taboos included sweeping floors at night, as this would disturb potential djinn residing in homes, and biting one's tongue during meals, as this was interpreted as an ominous sign of impending bad luck.
[138] Preceding the commencement of fasting, Qataris engage in preparatory rituals and communal gatherings, exemplified by the observance of Sha'ban, the month prior to Ramadan, with al naflah festivities.
This tradition, continuing to this day in Qatar, is broadcast live on national television and can be observed at various locations such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village and Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque.
The feast features a variety of dishes, notably grilled and fried fish, rice cooked with date extract, and tharid—a meal combining crumbled bread, meat, and broth.
Additional festivities, including classic car displays and children's activities, take place on the Doha Corniche, Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village.
[152] During this ceremonial sacrifice, the girls dress in traditional attire, such as the al bakhnaq embroidered with zari thread, and perform songs specific to the occasion, such as praying to God to make their Eid joyous and for the safe return of pilgrims from Hajj.
Bridal henna celebrations, once confined to intimate family gatherings, now encompass vibrant rituals, including festive banquets and jalwa ceremonies, where the bride, garmented in green, watches as female participants sing.
