3.8: Culture (1) الثقافة
In this section, you will learn about:
- Months of the year in the Arab world (Gregorian Calendar).
- The Four Seasons in the Middle East/Arab World.
- Some of the cultural celebrations related to the Gregorian Calendar in the Arab World.
Months of the year in the Arab world:
For a long time, almost all Arab countries have been using the Gregorian Calendar. The month names of the Gregorian calendar are used as is in most Arab countries, while in the Arab countries of the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine) and Mesopotamia (Iraq) Syriac names for the Gregorian calendar are used.
|
No. |
Month |
Arabic Name |
In Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
January |
يناير |
yanāyir |
|
2 |
February |
فبراير |
fibrāyir |
|
3 |
March |
مارس |
māris |
|
4 |
April |
أبريل |
abrīl |
|
5 |
May |
مايو |
māyū |
|
6 |
June |
يونيو |
yūniyū |
|
7 |
July |
يوليو |
yūlio |
|
8 |
August |
أغسطس |
aġustus |
|
9 |
September |
سبتمبر |
sibtambar |
|
10 |
October |
أكتوبر |
uktūbar |
|
11 |
November |
نوفمبر |
nūfambar |
|
12 |
December |
ديسمبر |
dīsambar |
|
No. |
Month |
Arabic Name |
In Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
January |
كانون الثاني |
kānūnu al tānī |
|
2 |
February |
شباط |
šubāt |
|
3 |
March |
آذار |
ādār |
|
4 |
April |
نيسان |
nīsān |
|
5 |
May |
أيار |
ayyār |
|
6 |
June |
حزيران |
azīrān / huzayrān |
|
7 |
July |
تموز |
tam-mooz |
|
8 |
August |
آب |
āb |
|
9 |
September |
أيلول |
aylūl |
|
10 |
October |
تشرين الأول |
tišrīnu al-awwal |
|
11 |
November |
تشرين الثاني |
tišrīnu al-tānī |
|
12 |
December |
كانون الأول |
kānūnu al-awwal |
The Four Seasons in the Middle East/Arab World:
The Middle East has a diverse range of climates depending on the specific region. Generally, the Middle East experiences a Mediterranean climate, desert climate, or semi-arid climate. The seasons vary, but typically they are as follows:
1. Spring: March to May - During spring, temperatures begin to rise after the cooler winter months. This period often sees mild to warm temperatures and occasional rainfall, particularly in regions with a Mediterranean climate.
2. Summer: June to August - Summers in the Middle East can be extremely hot, especially in desert regions. Temperatures often soar to very high levels, and it's not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 40°C (104°F) or more in many areas.
3. Autumn/Fall: September to November - Autumn brings cooler temperatures compared to summer, but it can still be quite warm, particularly at the beginning of the season. In some areas, autumn may bring sporadic rainfall.
4. Winter: December to February - Winters in the Middle East can vary depending on the region. In desert areas, temperatures can drop significantly at night, while coastal regions may experience milder winters. In some mountainous areas, winter brings snowfall.
It's important to note that these seasons may vary slightly depending on the specific location within the Middle East. For example, coastal areas may experience milder temperatures compared to inland desert regions. Additionally, countries in the Middle East may have their own unique climatic patterns.
Cultural Celebrations Related to the Gregorian Calendar in the Arab World:
The Middle East boasts a wealth of cultural and religious diversity, which is often showcased through seasonal celebrations and festivals. Here are some noteworthy events:
1. Nowruz (النوروز): Nowruz, which means "New Day," is celebrated as the Persian New Year by people of Persian and Kurdish descent, as well as other communities across Central Asia and the Middle East. The holiday signifies the start of spring and typically falls on or around the vernal equinox. Festivities include a range of customs and traditions, such as the setting up of the Haft-Sin table with seven symbolic items, visiting loved ones, and taking part in community activities.
2. Feast of the Nativity "Christmas" (عيد الميلاد/Eid Al Milad): Christmas is observed in Christian-majority areas of the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine, to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though Christmas is celebrated on December 25th as per the Gregorian calendar, the festivities frequently align with the winter season in the region.
3. Easter (عيد الفصح/Eid Al Fiseh): Christian communities in the Middle East observe Easter using the Gregorian calendar like many other parts of the world. The date of Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. As a result, the date of Easter in the Middle East varies from year to year but typically falls between late March and late April, the same as in other regions that follow the Gregorian calendar. It is important to note that the Eastern Orthodox Church, which has a significant presence in the Middle East, calculates the date of Easter according to the Julian calendar, which may result in a different date of celebration compared to Western Christian denominations.
4. Sham Al Nasseem (شم النسيم): Egypt celebrates the spring festival of Sham Al Nasseem on March 21st, which has been observed for centuries. Sham Al Nasseem means "sniffing the breeze" in Arabic. Originally, the ancient Egyptians celebrated Sham Al Nasseem as a spring festival to mark the start of the agricultural season and the arrival of spring with picnics, outdoor activities, and feasting on traditional foods. Today, Sham Al Nasseem remains a public holiday in Egypt and is celebrated by people of all religions and backgrounds. Families and friends typically gather in parks or other outdoor areas for picnics, enjoying traditional foods such as salted fish, onions, and colored eggs, and engaging in leisure activities. Sham Al Nasseem is a cultural celebration of spring and renewal that reflects Egypt's ancient agricultural heritage and the importance of changing seasons in Egyptian culture.
5. Mother's Day (عيد الأم/Eid Al Um) : Mother's Day is observed on March 21st in many Arab countries. This date coincides with the vernal equinox and the start of spring. It is a special day dedicated to honoring mothers and motherhood, often celebrated with gestures of love, appreciation, and gratitude. Families may show their affection by giving presents, cards, and flowers to their mothers, and by spending quality time together.
6. Teacher's Day (عيد المعلّم/Eid Al Mu'allem): The celebration of Teacher's Day in the Arab world differs from one country to another. Teacher's Day is observed on specific dates in some Arab countries, while in others, it is commemorated alongside World Teacher's Day, which is observed on October 5th annually. Below are the Teacher's Day dates for some Arab countries:
- Egypt : Teacher's Day in Egypt is celebrated on January 28th.
- Saudi Arabia : Teacher's Day in Saudi Arabia is observed on February 28th.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) : Teacher's Day in the UAE is celebrated on February 28th as well.
- Jordan : Teacher's Day in Jordan is on February 28th.
- Syria: Teacher's Day in Syria falls on the third Thursday of March.
- Lebanon : Teacher's Day in Lebanon is observed on March 9th.
7. Armed Forces Day (عيد الجيش/Eid Al Jeish) : Many Arab countries have designated a day to show their appreciation for their armed forces and military personnel. This day may be used to celebrate significant military victories, remember fallen soldiers, and demonstrate military strength through parades and other displays.
The Middle East has a variety of seasonal celebrations that showcase the cultural, religious, and historical diversity of the region. These festivities are a testament to the richness of the area.
Activities:
Celebrations Names Crosswords:
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Month Names Crosswords:
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