Culture of Qatar

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Culture of Qatar
History
People
Languages
Cuisine
Festivals Public holidays
Religion
Art Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family Public art in Qatar
Literature Qatari folklore
Performing arts
Media Radio Television Cinema
Sport
Monuments World Heritage Sites
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem
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The culture of Qatar is strongly influenced by traditional Bedouin culture, with less acute influence deriving from India, East Africa and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf. The peninsula's harsh climatic conditions compelled its inhabitants to turn to the sea for sustenance. Thus, there is a distinct emphasis placed on the sea in local culture.^[1] Literature and folklore themes are often related to sea-based activities.

Oral arts such as poetry and singing were historically more prevalent than figurative art because of the restrictions placed by Islam on depictions of sentient beings; however, certain visual art disciplines such as calligraphy, architecture and textile arts were widely practiced. Figurative arts were gradually assimilated into the country's culture during the oil era.^[2]

Cultural policies and affairs are regulated by the Ministry of Culture. The current minister is Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.^[3]

Visual arts

The modern Qatari art movement emerged in the mid-20th century, facilitated by the newfound wealth from oil exports and subsequent societal modernization. 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.^[4] However, in the 1950s, the Qatari art scene saw significant development, initially overseen by the Ministry of Education and later supported by increased government funding. Figures like Jassim Zaini, regarded as the father of modern Qatari artists, and Yousef Ahmad played a pivotal role in the transition from traditional to global styles. Institutions like the Qatari Fine Arts Society, established in 1980, and the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Heritage, established in 1998,^[5] further propelled the growth of the modern art scene in the country.^[6]

Qatar's investments in the arts is exemplified by the establishment of Qatar Museums in the early 2000s, aiming to centralize and connect various museums and collections.^[7] Following this was the inauguration of several more major art institutions like the Museum of Islamic Art in 2008,^[8] Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in 2010,^[9] and the National Museum of Qatar in 2019.^[10] Plans for additional museums have been announced, including the Art Mill, Lusail Museum, and Qatar Auto Museum.^[11]

For the last twenty years, several members of the Al Thani family have led Qatar's interest and involvement into the field of arts and continue to shape the cultural policy of the country.^[12] Qatar was revealed to be the world's biggest art buyer in 2011.^[13] Figures like Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani,^[14] Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Hassan bin Mohamed Al Thani have played instrumental roles in advancing Qatar's art scene and developing its related institutions.^[15]

Folklore

Qatari folklore is rich with narratives that reflect the cultural heritage of the Persian Gulf region, emphasizing sea-based activities. Known locally as hazzawi, folktales hold significant cultural value, with stories often passed down orally from generation to generation. One such popular myth is that of May and Ghilân. Originating from the Al Muhannadi tribe of Al Khor, the story narrates a struggle between two pearl fishers which results in the creation of the sail.^[16] Another tale which carries some popularity locally is the Lord of the Sea, which revolves around a half-man half-fish monster named Bū Daryā who terrorizes sailors.^[17]

Among the notable

With the advent of oil exploration and modernization, the tradition of oral storytelling gradually declined. Efforts by government ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, alongside local universities, have sought to preserve and transcribe these tales in publications. Collaborative endeavors between government agencies, educational institutions, and regional bodies like the GCC States Folklore Centre, headquartered in Doha, have played a crucial role in cataloging and promoting Qatari folklore.^[20]

Literature

Qatari literature dates back to the 19th century with poets such as Abdul Jalil Al-Tabatabai and Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Uthaymeen. However, due to widespread illiteracy in the region at this time, local written literature dating back to the 19th century is scarce.^[21]

The modern literature movement in Qatar began in the 1950s, during the same time as the modern arts movement. This was largely because the increased prosperity from oil extraction activities allowed Qataris to receive formal education, adopt more settled lifestyles and attend higher education institutes abroad in order to hone their creative skills.^[21] Other factors involved in triggering a literary revolution were the improved social standing of women, the advent of a national identity, and the introductions of literary organisations, journalism and mass immigration.^[22]

Unlike most other forms of art in Qatari society, females have been involved in the literature movement on a similar magnititude to males.^[23] Yousef Ni'ma introduced the first two collections of short stories in 1970, entitled Bint Al-Khaleej (Daughter of the Gulf) and Liqa fi Beirut (A Meeting in Bayrut).^[22] In the 1970s, much of the early work of females revolved around ritha poems which were published in local newspapers.^[24] Kaltham Jaber became the first Qatari woman to publish a collection of short stories,^[25] and the first Qatari woman writer to publish a major work when she released her anthology of short stories, dating from 1973 to the year of its publishing, 1978.^[26] Entitled "Ania wa Ghabat as-Samt wa at-Taraddud", the main focus of these stories is the desire for Qatari women to have a role in restructuring social norms and cultural conceptions.^[27]

In the late 20th and the 21st centuries, novels became popular among Qatari writers. Shu'a' Khalifa and her sister Dalal Khalifa were the first two Qatari novelists to publish their works. They accomplished this feat with the publishing of three separate novels in 1993: al-Ubur ila al-haqiqa (Passage to Truth), written by Shu'a' in 1987, Ahlam al-bahr al-qadima (The Old Dreams of the Sea), written by Shu'a' in 1990 and Usturat al-Insan wa-l-buhayra (The Myth of the Man and the Lake, written by Dalal. Their novels center around social limitations faced by women, and scrutinize long-held social values. Another important theme in their novels is the rapid societal transition experienced by Qatar since the discovery of oil.^[22]

Abdulaziz Al-Mahmoud published his maritime novel Al Qursan in August 2011, and it went on to become one of the best-selling books to be released by a Qatari author.^[28] By June 2015, twelve Qatari women and eight Qatari men had published a collective total of thirty-nine novels.^[22] Novels have proven to be one of the fastest growing categories of literature, with nearly a quarter of all existing Qatari-authored novels being published as recently as 2014. Six new female Qatari writers published novels in 2014. Similar to their predecessors, the main themes in their books are women's role in society and the social transition of Qatar.^[22]

Poetry

Poetry has been an integral part of the culture since pre-Islamic times.^[29] Qatari ibn al-Fuja'a, a folk hero dating to the seventh-century, was renowned for writing poetry.^[30] It was seen as a verbal art which fulfilled essential social functions. Having a renowned poet among its ranks was a source of pride for tribes; it is the primary way in which age-old traditions are passed down generations. Poems composed by females primarily focused on the theme of ritha, to lament. This type of poetry served as an elegy.^[29]

Nabati was the primary form of oral poetry.^[31] In the nineteenth-century, sheikh Jassim Al Thani composed influential Nabati poems on the political conditions in Qatar.^[32] Nabati poems are broadcast on radio and televised in the country.^[33]

Music

The folk music of Qatar has a close association with the sea. Songs related to pearl hunting are the most popular genre of male folk music. Each song, varying in rhythm, narrates a different activity of the pearling trip, including spreading the sails, diving, and rowing the ships. Collective singing was an integral part of each pearling trip, and each ship had a designated singer, known locally as al naham.^[34]

Ardah, a folkloric dance, is still practiced in Qatar.^[35] The dance is performed with two rows of men opposite of one another, each of whom may or may not be wielding a sword, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry.^[36]

Historically, women primarily sang work songs associated with daily activities such as wheat grinding and cooking. The songs were performed collectively in small groups some pertained to general themes, whereas others were related to specific work processes.^[37] Women would also sing when returning pearl ships were sighted.^[34] After a sighting was made, they would gather around the seashore where they would clap and sing about the hardships of pearl diving.^[37]

Traditional lifestyles

Pearling and fishing

As Qatar is an extremely arid country,^[38] 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. Both fishing and pearling were done mainly using dhows, and the latter activity occasionally employed slaves. Pearling season took place from May to September and the pearls would be exported to Baghdad and elsewhere in Asia. While pearl trading was a lucrative venture for traders and dealers of pearls, the pearlers would receive few of the profits themselves. The main fishing and pearling centers of Qatar throughout its history have been Fuwayrit, Al Huwaila, and Al Bidda.^[39]

Pearling is an ancient practice in the Persian Gulf, though it is not known exactly when Arabs began diving for pearls. It has been suggested that the profession dates back to the Dilmun civilization in Bahrain 5,000 years ago, which the inhabitants of Qatar came into contact with at the time. The captain of a pearling craft is called noukhadha, and is responsible for the most important tasks of a pearling trip such as managing interpersonal conflicts between the divers (al-fawwas) and the storage of pearls in the pearling vessel, which is known as al-hairat. The al-muqaddim is responsible for all ship operations while the al-sakuni is the driver of the ship.^[40]

Nomadic pastoralism

Bedouin lifestyle was nomadic and consisted of frequent migration, which would come after either a water source had been used up or a grazing site was exhausted.^[41] However, in Qatar, most Bedouins would only wander during the winter, as it was too hot to do so during the summer; thus, Qatar was mainly a winter grazing ground for Bedouins from the eastern region of the Arabian Peninsula. Goats and camels were the main livelihoods of Bedouins, with products from the former being used in trade and for sustenance and with camels being used as a means of transportation as well as a source of milk. Every tribe would have its own region, called dirah in Arabic, but if the resources in their dirah had become depleted, then the tribe would be forced to migrate to another tribe's dirah, potentially provoking conflicts.^[39]

In the winter when tribes wandered through Qatar,^[42] it was unusual for a tribe to remain at one location for a period exceeding ten days. Generally, the average daily distance traveled by Bedouins was not very long, so as to preserve energy and resources. Although the traveling speed would be greatly hastened in cases of inclement weather or far-away distances between one pastureland to another. By and large, it was easier for Bedouin tribes to thrive during the winter months, so long as the rains arrived and there was no in-fighting. Women were responsible for making clothing, taking care of children and preparing food, one popular dish being leben, which comprises fermented milk. Men, on the other hand, would frequently go hunting with hawks and dogs during the winter months.^[39]

Leaders of Bedouin tribes, known as sheikhs, often gained their positions by proving themselves to be generous and competent rulers. It was expected of them to provide charity to the poorer members of the tribe should the need arise. The sheikh's wife would be expected to help solve complaints brought to her by the female members of the tribe. Bedouins often lived very modestly, lacking a consistent source of income. Nonetheless, due to the cooperation and charity between tribe members, it was rare that one would go hungry except during exceptionally long droughts. Bedouins of all classes had a reputation for being very hospitable towards guests.^[39] After the discovery of oil in Qatar, most Qataris moved to urban areas and the Bedouin way of life gradually disappeared. Only a few tribes in Qatar continue this lifestyle.^[43]

Social traditions

Majlis

A distinctive social tradition among the Persian Gulf people involves communal gatherings known as a majlis, where friends and neighbors convene to discuss matters of mutual interest over cups of Arabic coffee. These gatherings occasionally serve as platforms for various forms of folk arts. In the past, the "dour", or spacious rooms designated for these gatherings, hosted seafarers, dhow captains (noukhadha), and enthusiasts of folk arts between pearl fishing seasons. Here, they engaged in al-samra, evenings of song and dance, celebrated during weddings and other occasions for entertainment.^[44]

The majlis also functions as a forum for social interaction, discussion, and conflict resolution, with a particular emphasis on the wisdom and authority of elder members. It serves as a welcoming venue for guests and facilitates social ties. Moreover, the majlis serves an educational function, providing a platform for imparting moral values, etiquette, and life experiences to younger members.^[45]

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. It upholds moral standards and etiquette, emphasizing respect for elders, hospitality to guests, and proper conduct during gatherings. The customs and conventions observed in the majlis reflect a broader folk culture characterized by harmony and communal agreement.^[45]

The majlis remains a vital component of Qatari society. 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.^[46]

Sports

Other traditional sports practiced in the country include falconry, camel racing and hunting.^[49]

Historically camel racing was a tradition among the Bedouin tribes of Qatar and would be performed on special occasions such as weddings.^[50] It was not until 1972, one year after Qatar's independence, that camel racing was practiced on a professional level. Typically, camel racing season takes place from September to March.^[51] Approximately 22,000 racing camels are used in competitions which are mainly held at the country's primary camel racing venue, the Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack. The average distance of such races is usually 4 to 8 km depending on the conditions of the camels being raced.^[52]

Falconry is widely practiced by Qataris.^[53] The only falconry association is Al Gannas, which was founded in 2008 in the Katara Cultural Village and which hosts the Annual Falconry Festival.^[54] Hunting season extends from October to April. Prices of falcons can be extremely high, being as expensive as QR 1 million.^[55] Saluki dogs are also used for hunting in the desert primarily because of their great speeds.^[56] Their main prey in the desert are gazelles and rabbits.^[57]

Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is the first Arab nation to host the FIFA World Cup.^[58]

Folk games

Prior to the introduction of football, children played traditional games, including al dahroi, al sabbah, and taq taq taqiyyah for boys, and al kunatb, al laqfah and nat al habl for girls.^[59] Variations of a family of board games known as mancala were played in previous decades.^[60] Two of the most popular board games were a’ailah and al haluwsah.^[59]

Folk games form an important part of Qatar's cultural fabric. Depending on the location, a game could either be a sea game or an urban game; furthermore, most games were gender exclusive. Typically, boys' games would be more physical. One such game was called tnumba, in which two teams would attempt to redirect an airborne ball towards the others' hand-dug pit, which served as a goal. Another similar game was called matoua, and involved taking turns to use a makeshift

Shakaha was a popular girls' game. It involved two girls prone on the ground oriented towards each other, with a third girl attempting to pass by jumping over them. As the game progressed, the girls on the ground would become increasingly outstretched, making it more difficult for the third girl to pass. One game shared by both boys and girls was called zlalwah, and involved the person whose turn it is throwing a stone at the shadow of one of the participants, with the game ending once the targeted person chases and catches one of the others.[61]

Food and drink

As Qatar follows

Before the meal commences, it is customary to serve coffee or tea. Arabic coffee, brewed in brass coffee pots infused with cardamom, offers a distinctive aroma and flavor beloved by locals and visitors alike. Served in small porcelain cups, guests often consume three to five cups, signaling their satisfaction by gently shaking the cup when they have had their fill. Hot tea, typically flavored with mint and sweetened with sugar, may also be served in small glass mugs. Both coffee and tea are commonly offered not only in social settings but also in business meetings, reflecting the importance of hospitality in Qatari culture.^[65]

The main dishes that are considered to be traditional Qatari food, include:^[66]

• Machbous (kabsa), which is rice that is cooked with Arabic spices, served with chicken, lamb, or fish.^[67] Machbous is mainly served with lamb during big celebrations, and any type of gatherings to show generosity.^[68]
• Mathruba, which is rice beaten with cardamom, milk, butter, and any choice of meat, until it turns into porridge form.^[67]
• Thareed, consists of bread soaked in vegetable, spices, and chicken/lamb stew.^[69] It is specifically served everyday during Ramadan, along with Harees.
• Harees, meat beaten with boiled ground wheat, until it turns into porridge form, to the consistency desired.^{[citation needed]}
• Balaleet, is a sweet and savory dish, that is usually eaten for breakfast or as a dessert, which includes vermicelli cooked with sugar, rose water, cardamom, and saffron, and topped with omelet eggs.^[70]

Dress

Qatari men wear thawbs (a long white shirt) over loose pants.^[72] Aside from protecting the wearer against the dangers of the sun, it also serves as a symbol of affiliation. In previous decades, different types of thawbs were used depending on the occasion, though this is seldom the case now. For instance, the thawb al-nashi is considered the most grand and ornamental type, and was used for celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and family gatherings. Long strips embroidered with beads run down the length of the thawb. It is usually black, but can come in other colors such as blue and red.^[73]

They also wear a loose headdress, a ghutra, which comes in white or red.^[74] Around the ghutra is a black rope called agal, which holds it in place.^[72]

Qatari women generally wear customary dresses that include “long black robes” and black head cover

It is believed that Qatari women began using face masks in the 19th century amid substantial immigration. As they had no practical ways of concealing their faces from foreigners, they began wearing the same type of face mask as their Persian counterparts.[77]

Jewelry

Earrings are common pieces of jewelry seen, varying in size from 10 cm to several millimeters. A popular practice involves affixing a short chain, called dalayah, to the earring with a pearl or precious gem attached to the bottom of the chain. Necklaces vary in length, with some being waist-length and others extending only to the top of the neck. Some are highly ornamental, having a pearl attached to the chain which is called maarah, while others use only simple beads. Perhaps the most common piece of jewelry is the mdhaed, or fine bracelets. More than one is typically worn, some times numbering to over a dozen. Other types of bracelets exist, the miltafah being two plaited cables, while others consist only of colored beads, with the occasional golden one. Rings are often worn multiple at a time, with a popular trend being to connect four rings, each to be worn on their corresponding finger, together with a chain, which may also be attached to the woman's bracelets, if worn.^[78]

Language

The legitimate language spoken in Qatar is Arabic.^[79] However, since more than half of Qatar's population are expats and migrants, English is also commonly spoken at public places especially at shops and restaurants.^[80]

The table below includes basic Arabic words:^[81]

Religion

The official religion practiced in Qatar is Islam.^[82]

Holidays

Qatar's weekends are Friday and Saturday.

There are currently seven newspapers in circulation in Qatar, with four being published in Arabic and three being published in English.[85] Additionally, there are nine magazines.^[86]

All radio programmes from Qatar are state-owned and are amalgamated as the Qatar Broadcasting Service.^[87] Radio broadcasting in the country began in June 1968 and English transmissions started in December 1971^[88] in order to accommodate the increasing non-Arabic speaking expat community.^[89][90] The QBS currently features radio stations in English, Arabic, French and Urdu.^[91]

Al Jazeera, currently Qatar's largest television network, was founded in 1996 and has since become the foundation of the media sector.^[92] Initially launched as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel, Al Jazeera has since expanded into a network with several outlets, including the internet and specialty TV channels in multiple languages. The 'Al Jazeera effect' refers to the global impact of the Al Jazeera Media Network, particularly on the politics of the Arab world.^[93]

Cinema

Cinema in Qatar has emerged as a significant cultural and economic force, spurred by initiatives outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030. The vision's emphasis on human and social development includes a strong commitment to nurturing artistic talents and promoting Qatar's global presence through the film industry.^[94] 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. Through grants, workshops, and festivals, the DFI has facilitated the growth of the local film community and has showcased Qatar's national identity on the global stage.^[95]

The Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) and Ajyal Film Festival are key events that showcase and celebrate cinematic achievements, providing platforms for regional and local talents to exhibit their work.^[96] Ajyal, in particular, focuses on engaging audiences in film-centric dialogues and cultivating young talents through volunteering opportunities and youth-focused programs.^[97] Additionally, Qumra, a part of the DFI, offers mentorship opportunities and development services for aspiring filmmakers, contributing to the continued growth of Qatar's film industry. The establishment of production houses like The Film House and Innovation Films, along with the emergence of notable Qatari directors and filmmakers such as Ahmed Al-Baker and AlJawhara Al-Thani, further solidify Qatar's position as a hub for cinematic creativity and innovation.

Television

The multinational media conglomerate

Terrestrial television

Terrestrial television stations now available on Nilesat include:

Pay television

• Teledunet
• Mozaic TV
• MyHD
• Mivo TV
• Sky (Qatar, UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman and Iran only, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria and Iraq)

Radio

Doha has a variety of radio stations, some of which include:

See also

• Ministry of Culture and Sports (Qatar)

References