1.8: Culture (1) الثقافة
- Page ID
- 347683
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- Learn about Arab family traditions, celebrations, and holidays.
The value of family (العائلة / al aailah) in the Arab societies:
Family at the Center of Life
Arab societies stand out from others due to their deeply ingrained values, prominently among them being the significance of family ties. Within Arab cultures, the family serves as the fundamental cornerstone of an individual's upbringing, with customs and traditions deeply intertwined with familial relationships extending across generations. This strong familial bond remains steadfast even among Arab expatriates residing in Western societies like America and Europe, where they diligently preserve their cultural heritage, maintaining traditions such as familial bonds among parents (الوالدين / al walidain), grandparents (الجدّين / al jaddain), children (الأبناء / al abnaa'), grandchildren (الأحفاد / al ahfad), uncles (الأعمام / al aamaam), and cousins (أولاد العم / awlad al aam).
This commitment to family is evident in the nurturing care parents provide for their children until they establish their own families, reciprocated by the younger generation's responsibility to care for their elders, including grandparents (الجد / al jad) and grandmothers (الجدّة / al jaddah). Consequently, the family assumes paramount importance in Arab societies, ensuring a supportive social structure for both the elderly and the youth. The practice of maintaining large families is common among Arabs, facilitated by the cultural acceptance of cousin marriages, resulting in expansive familial networks.
Collectivism vs. Individualism
Therefore, Arab families fall within the spectrum of what is called "Collectivism." It is of great significance to hint at the difference between the concepts of "Individualism" and "Collectivism" in order to better understand the traditions of Arab communities.
"Individualism" and "collectivism" are two contrasting cultural ideologies that describe how individuals relate to society and prioritize their personal interests versus the interests of the group. Individualism places a strong emphasis on the autonomy, rights, and freedoms of the individual. This cultural orientation is prevalent in Western societies like the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, where there is a focus on personal achievement, self-expression, and independence. In individualistic cultures, individuals tend to prioritize personal goals, self-reliance, and personal success over group harmony or conformity. These cultures often value individual rights, freedom of speech, and personal identity, and they encourage competition and innovation.
In contrast, collectivism prioritizes the interests of the group or community over those of the individual. This cultural orientation is common in many Asian, African, and South American societies, where there is a strong emphasis on interconnectedness, harmony, and cooperation within the group. Individuals in collectivist cultures may prioritize the needs of their family, community, or society over their own personal desires or ambitions. These cultures often value loyalty, interdependence, and harmony and may place greater importance on social roles and obligations within the group.
It's important to note that individualism and collectivism exist on a spectrum, and no culture is purely individualistic or purely collectivist. Many cultures exhibit elements of both ideologies to varying degrees. Additionally, these cultural orientations can influence various aspects of society, including social norms, family structures, work dynamics, and political systems.
Respect and Family Honor
In Arab families, parents teach their children proper behavior, important traditions, and moral values. Children are expected to respect and obey their parents and older relatives. Showing respect for elders is a key part of daily life.
Family honor is closely linked to individual behavior. If someone acts in a way that is not considered acceptable, it may bring shame to the whole family. Because of this, people often try to behave in ways that protect and strengthen the family’s good name.
Living Close and Celebrating Together
This emphasis on family cohesion is notably observed during festive occasions and celebrations, where the extended family gathers in abundance. From childhood, Arab individuals are immersed in the rich tapestry of familial bonds, learning customs and traditions through active participation in social gatherings with relatives spanning generations. For instance, during religious holidays such as Eid (العيد), family members assemble at the grandparents' home to partake in customary rituals like the exchange of Eidiah (العيديّة) - monetary gifts for children - and the indulgence in homemade sweets prepared by the women and girls of the family. A cherished tradition during holidays like Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر), Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى), Christmas (عيد الميلاد / eid al milad), and Easter (عيد الفصح / eid al fiseh) involves visiting grandparents first, followed by the younger generation offering blessings to their elders, underscoring the enduring significance of family bonds in Arab societies. For further information on celebrations in the Arab world, please refer to Chapter 3, Sections 3.8: Culture (1) and 3.9: Culture (2).
In Arab culture, the family is much more than just the people you live with. It is a large network that offers support, teaches values, and shares responsibility for everyone’s well-being. Respect for parents and elders, keeping family honor, and working together as a group—these are all important parts of Arab life. This focus on family and community shows the collectivist nature of Arab societies, where people see themselves as part of a bigger family unit, not just as individuals.
Watch this video about the Egyptian families to learn more about the structure of the Arabic families.
Activities t
Choose the correct option:
Check your Understanding
- هل عائلتك كبيرة أو صغيرة؟
- هل تحب عائلتك؟
- من هو كبير العائلة؟
- On a piece of paper, draw a Venn diagram with two big circles that overlap in the middle. Label one circle: العائلة العربية (Arab Family), and the other label the other circle: My Family / Western Family. Compare the family structures and in the overlap, write what is the same in both cultures.
Example ideas to help you think:
- Who lives together?
- How big is the family?
- Do people visit often?
- How do they show respect?
Discussion Prompt: Family in Arab Culture vs. Your Culture
After reading about family life in Arab culture, think about your own family or culture.
- How is the Arab family similar to your family or culture?
- How is it different?
- Why do you think family plays such an important role in both cultures?
Please write one short paragraph for each question (total of three paragraphs).