1.8: Culture (1) الثقافة
In this section, you will be able to:
- Learn about Arab family traditions, celebrations, and holidays.
The value of family (العائلة / al aailah) in the Arab societies:
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.
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.
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) .