Maryama Ulfa (18202241073)

Sischa Putri Hutami (18202241070)

ARAB SAUDI
(Al-Mamlakah al-Arabiyah as-Sa’udiyah)

The cultural setting of Saudi Arabia is greatly influenced by the Arab and Islamic culture. The
society is in general deeply religious, conservative, traditional, and family-oriented.

Language

Arabic is the language of all Saudi Arabian

citizens and about half the immigrants. Classical
Arabic ( fusha ) in its Koranic, high literary, and
modern standard forms is used for prayers and
religious rituals, poetry, lectures, speeches,
broadcasts, written communications, and other
formal purposes. Conversationally, people use
colloquial Arabic ( amiya ). There are many
subdialects and internal variants.

Greetings and Meeting Ettiquette

Saudi men are known for the physical affection they express towards total strangers.

 Men shake hands and kiss on each cheek.

 Saudi men who are very close friends may greet one another by touching noses.
 Women generally hug and kiss close friends, otherwise greet cordially with hellos.
 Men and women would not greet each other in public from outside the family.
 When Saudis greet each other they take their time with conversation.
 Address colleagues or superiors with the title ‘Abu’ which means ‘the father of…’ followed
by the name of the father’s eldest son

Clothes

Men
 Saudi men and boys wear the traditional dress called a Thawb, which has been called the
"Arabic dress”, and white trousers . They usually wear in white. At special times, men often wear a
bisht or mishlah over the thobe. These are long white, brown or black cloaks trimmed in gold.

A man's headdress consists of three things: the tagia, a small white cap that keeps the gutra from
slipping off the head; the gutra itself, which is a large square of cloth; and the igal, a doubled black
cord that holds the gutra in place. The gutra is usually made of cotton and traditionally is either all
white or a red and white checked. The gutra is worn folded into a triangle and centred on the head.

Women
Arab women must wear Abaya when they leave the house. Abaya is a long black cloak that
covers all but the hands and face. Its function is to cover the ordinary clothes they have worn inside
the Abaya. In various cities in Saudi Arabia, women wear traditional black Abaya and headscarves,
such as veil and niqab. Modest dress is compulsory for women in Islam. Women's clothes are often
decorated with tribal motifs, coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques. Foreign women are
required to wear an abaya, but don't need to cover their hair.

Family

Family is a central pillar of Saudi Arabian society, family-oriented. Family forms the basis of
most people’s social circles (particularly for women), and also provides financial and emotional
support. Saudis are expected to have the loyalty and willingness to do anything for one’s family.
Saudis tend to prefer to do business with, socialize with, and communicate with family members
rather than outsiders, be they foreigners, or Saudis from other clans.

Family Structure

Saudi Arabian families are generally patrilineal and patrilocal, meaning the bride moves into
their husband’s house at marriage and the family lineage is carried through the father.

Traditionally men having more than one wife (polygyny) was "fairly common", but marriage has
become increasingly monogamous as income has declined and western ideas of mutual compatibility
between husband and wife have taken hold.

Family Dynamics

Throughout all sectors of Saudi society, parents and elders are highly respected. It is highly
inappropriate for children to talk back to or disobey anyone who is older than themselves. The bond
between child and parent is especially strong.

Men hold the most authority and are responsible for the primary income, security and safety of
the family. They are expected to work outside the home, earn money and to provide for their family.
Women are expected to look after their husband and children, prepare food and provide love and
warm-heartedness for the family. Today, it is common for men and women to share financial control
of the household. Brothers and sisters may share some domestic duties. Many Saudi families now
also have domestic employees (usually an expatriate worker) that assist the family in daily domestic
duties (e.g. cleaning, cooking, driving female family members).

Legal Guardship System (Mehram)

Saudi Arabia has a legal guardianship system that means it is illegal for a woman to do certain
things without the permission of a male guardian, regardless of her age. Women have to depend on
men in their family (usually father, brother, and husband) throughout their lives for all public
dealings. This includes travelling abroad, getting married, applying for passports and opening a bank
account.

Housing

Saudi houses and housing compounds are often noted for the high walls (3 or 4 metres high)
surrounding them, as useful in keeping out sandstorms and/or reflective of the families'
self-contained outlook on the world.

Baby Born

1. Aqiqah

Aqiqah consists of giving a name to the baby, shaving his hair, and offering a sacrifice. It is
recommended that the new-born baby should be given either a compound name containing one of the
most beautiful names of Allah or the name of holy figures. The preferable method for Aqiqah is that
it should be performed on the seventh day if not then the 14th or 21st and so on. Some scholars given
the Fatwa that Aqiqah is valid till the day of a person death.

There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. One is the announcing the birth of the
baby. Being bestowed a child is a great blessing from the Creator. Another purpose is inviting family
members, neighbors, and friends to celebrate the blessed occasion. The poor should be included in
the celebration by offering them food and meat served on this occasion.

2. Mughli

Mughli is a floured rice pudding made of semolina wheat, sweetened with sugar, flavored with
cinnamon, and topped with fresh nuts, especially almonds with their brown skins removed. Making
and serving mughli when baby is born is a common tradition throughout the Arabic region.

3. Evil-eye protector and always say “Masyallah”

 Blue, the color of evil eye protection believed to be the traditional color for good karma, positive
energies. Arabian people are programmed to believe that wearing a “blue” eye can help protect their
baby from hasad. So, they always give an “evil-eye” protector pin for their baby. Besides that, to
make sure that the baby is free of the evil-eye, when the people want to say the baby’s name they
always add “Masyallah.”

4. Everyone in the family starts speaking baby’s language

Arab baby’s talk is made up almost entirely of two syllable words that somehow become a part
of the vocabulary. They start referring to food as nam-nam or nee-nee, sleep as du-du and crap as
kah-kah.

Marriages

Traditionally, in Saudi Arabia (and other Gulf countries), families arrange marriages with the
tribe or family's considerations in mind, rather than Western/modern ideas of romantic love and
self-identity. Sons and daughters have been encouraged to "marry cousins or other relatives in order
to increase and strengthen" the extended family or tribe, "or occasionally to marry into another tribe
in order to heal rifts".

Steps of marriage

1. Proposal (Tulba)

Proposal (Tulba) is basically a formal request of hand. The event is more private, limited to the
relatives of the bride and groom. This occurs after both families have agreed to the couple's decision
to marry. In "Tulba", the groom, along with his family members, asks the bride, with her family for
her part, to her hand in marriage. Families then formally recognize that the couple will be married.

2. Viewing (Shawfa)

Viewing (Shawfa): if assent is given by the two families, the bride is "formally allowed to unveil
in the presence of the future husband." This unveiling is delayed until the wedding party among very
strict families.

3. Engagements '(khetbah')

Engagements '(khetbah') in Saudi as well as in earlier Arabic and Islamic jurisprudence fiqh.
However, it is called ‫' خطوبة‬khutubah' in Egypt and the Levant) in the Arab world are usually much
like a simpler wedding party or a dinner for the families, the bride wears any dress she pleases and
there is no zaffah procession. Usually, the bride and groom dress in matching colors. They exchange
rings, putting the rings on each other's right-hand ring finger they are very common.

4. Marriage contract (Milka)

 Marriage contract (Milka): if the viewing does not stop wedding plans, the amount of the dowery
(mahr) and other terms are negotiated by the prospective groom and the father (or legal male
guardian) of the prospective bride, and are executed (approved) usually by the imam of a mosque
and witnessed by two male witnesses (or one man and two women) and recorded by a qadi. The
mahr is much higher for a virgin than for a divorcee or widow.

5. Meeting of the families (Shabka)

Meeting of the families (Shabka): this is a "gala" party of both families, hosted by the bride's
family, at which time the bridegroom presents the dowry and an engagement ring to the bride along
with other gifts of jewelry.

6. Betrothal (Makhtui, Khatub, or Makhtubayn)

In this event, all the dates of the wedding occasions are decided by both the families. Here, the
objective is to fix and announce the dates of each occasion in a formal manner

7. Henna party or `Night of the Henna`

It is a traditional henna party which is arranged by all the friends of the bride. Beautiful henna
designs are applied on the bride’s hand, wrist and feet. Also, other women present at the moment
adorned their hands with some great patterns of henna. Generally, professional henna artists are
invited to perform this old tradition.

8. Wedding celebrations (`Irs, Zaffaf, or Zawaj)

Usually comes six months to a year after the acceptance of the wedding proposal. The wedding
party is separated between the party of the adam and specifically for women. Usually Arabian brides
wear kaftans along the ankles and long sleeves. The bride can replace the kaftan up to seven times
during the wedding.

In this night they show tradition dance during the wedding calles is Zafin dance. The purpose of
this dance is to welcome the bride and groom at the reception night. In Saudi Arabia, zafin dancers
carry brides on their shoulders to the altar chair.

Arranged marriages

Arranged marriages still happen in the Arab world. The traditions of conservative Arab society
and Islam forbid couples to have sex or socialize before marriage. Therefore, when it is time for a
young man to get married, his family will look around to identify a number of potential brides.
 Traditional Burial and Funeral Rituals

Burial and funeral rituals in Saudi Arabia are based on Islam. In Islamic traditions the deceased
person must be buried as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. The practice is based on a
Hadith, the Prophet Mohammad's saying: "To honour the dead is to bury them".

When a Muslim passes away, he has to be washed according to Sharia (Islamic law), where the
entire body is washed with water and cleaned with 'kafour' (Camphor) and 'Sidr'.
The body is then dried and perfumed with 'Oud' and Rose scents before he/she is enshrouded in
white clean sheets (called Kafan.)

After the washing ceremony the men carry the body to the mosque where a 'prayer on the dead'
is performed before the body is carried on the shoulders to the cemetery and buried in a hole leaning
to the right side and covered with a layer of strips or rock tiles and soil.

The crowd starts saying prayers ('Du'aa) for the deceased and offering their condolence to
his/her parents and family. Even non-Muslims can take part in the burial ceremony but they cannot
perform the prayers.

Female relatives are also allowed to go to the cemetery but they are not allowed to mix with the
men.
The condolence period lasts for three days where family and friends offer condolence in two
separate sections, one for females and one for males. During the condolence ceremonies the Quran is
read for the soul of the deceased.

Expatriates attending an Emirati funeral are expected to dress according to local understanding
of appropriate clothing. In Islamic traditions there is nothing which says that women need to wear
black, but women wearing dark clothes, preferably black or grey, have become a common practice. It
is also considered inappropriate to wear make up or gaudy nail polish or decorative jewelry when
attending a funeral.

Naming

In Saudi Arabia, names say a lot about people’s ancestry and follow the lineage of names passed
through the male side of their family. Children will be named after their father, grandfather, etc.
However, Saudi women traditionally do not adopt their husband’s names when they marry.

 Most Saudis use Arabic naming conventions. This is formatted as: [personal name] [father’s
personal name] [grandfather’s personal name] [FAMILY/TRIBAL NAME]. For
example, Ahmad Hussain Khan AL-SAUD (male), Noura Hussain Khan AL-SAUD (female).
 Sometimes names may have a conjunctive word between two names, e.g. Muhammad ibn
Abdullah. This means “Muhammad son of Abdullah”.
  Common male names include Abdullah, Muhammad, Ahmad, Ibrahim, Ali and Saad.
 Common female names include Fatemah, Maryam, Nura, Layla, Ayasha, Sarah and Maha.

Table Manner

 If the meal is on the floor, sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee.

 Eat only with the right hand as the left is considered unclean.
 Try a bit of everything that is served.
 Honored guests are often offered the most prized pieces such as a sheep's head.
 There is quite a lot food. Part of Saudi hospitality and generosity is to serve guests with
abundant food.
 There is little conversation during meals so that diners may relish the food.

Dish

Arabic food is fresh look, with a variety of spices, and aromas that are appetizing. Most Arabic food
is meat and bread.

1. Kabsah

It is a flavoured basmati rice and chicken. Usually served at Eid and Mawlid.

2. Tamsis

Tamis is a food made from wheat, round and very thick. That can only be found in Arabic

3. Malabari Paratha

Malabari Paratha is a layered round bread that will melt when it enters the mouth. Usually this
bread is served with curry or other types of soup food.

4. Manakeesh

Manakeesh is one of the typical Arabic food. it is made from flour, honey, sugar, olive oil and spices
and meat with white chees as the topping. It just likes pizza.

5. Luqoimat

Luqoimat is a dessert. It is a sweet bread that is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. It's
like a donut in Indonesia, but different in shape and taste.

6. Asida

Asida is one of the cakes in Saudi Arabia. The shape is not much different from Dodol in
Indonesia. Asida is covered in melted butter on top so the taste is a blend of sweet and savory.

ARTS
 Music and dance are an integral part of the lives of Saudis. Because they don't have many
entertainment venues like the cinema or somethings like that.

Folk Dance

1. Al Ardah

Al Ardah is the national dance of the Saudi Arabian people. It is the men's swords dance.This
sword dance is based on ancient Bedouin traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet chants
verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. In this dance the men wear traditional
garb and carry a sword which they flaunt, wave and bandy to the rhythm of the music. This is among
one of the most ancient forms of Music and Dance of Saudi Arabia.

2. Mizmar

Mizmar is a group dance practised in Saudi Arabia, and specifically the Hejaz region. The dance
involves moving while twirling an oboelike woodwind instrument in the performance of the
“Mizmar” dance to the music of drums. In the past, the ritual was associated with battle or
competition. It closely resembles the tahtib dance practiced in Egypt and Sudan.

3. Literatures

Arabic literature is ages old and features both poetry and prose written in the Arabic language.
Poetry is especially important to Arab cultural life, and has long been considered one of the highest
expressions of literary art. It was primarily an oral tradition during the nomadic days of Bedouins, as
a form of preservation of history, traditions and social values. The Qur'an regarded as the best piece
of Arabic literature. It has helped shape Arabic culture and literature over the years.

4. Craft

Saudi Arabia is also famous amongst Arab and Islam countries for its art and craft. The kiswah
is a traditional handicraft of the country that is a black cloth with the Quranic verses embroidered
with threads of gold and silver. It is made in Mecca and replaced each year in the Ka’bah.
Calligraphy is an important sacred art of the Saudis.

FESTIVALS

1. Janadriya Festival

This is a major cultural event amongst the Riyadh Festivals and Events. It is held annually and is
the oldest and the most traditional of all the festivals. It is usually held from the 12th to the 26th of
February each year. This festival is considered to be the National Festival of Heritage and Culture in
the Janadriyah region of Riyadh. The Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival, organized by the
National Guard under the command of the Crown Prince, also plays a crucial role in preserving
Saudi national heritage. The festival begins with a traditional camel race and is intended to embrace
all aspects of Saudi Arabian traditions and culture. A feature of the festival is the performance of
traditional music by musicians from all over the Kingdom and national dances, including the Ardha,
by folklore troupes. The festival runs for two weeks each year and is attended by more than one
million Saudi citizens.

The Janadriyah Festival begins with the Opening Ceremony, which is followed by a variety of
activities including: Camel Race, Opera, Horse Race, Arabic Poetry, Traditional market, Traditional
Arts and Games, Performing arts from various provinces in Saudi Arabia, Traditional Shirt
Appearance, Book exhibition, Manuscript and Photo Center , Government Agencies and Companies,
Invite friendly countries to take part in Festival activities.

2. Riyadh Festival for Shopping and Leisure

This festival is held every year in the month of July. Visiotrs can shop all types of things right
from garments, accessories and electronic goods. The festival is held in Riyadh

3. Food Festival

The Saudi Food Festival is among the most popular amongst the Riyadh festivals and events,
and it is the longest established food exhibitions in Saudi Arabia. It is a bi-annual event and it is a
grand opening for the leading food production companies to exhibit their new products, technologies
and the equipment they use.

Social Life and Customs

 Criticism by outsiders must be delivered indirectly, circumspectly, and never in front of

others
 Insulting body language include exposing the soles of the feet or footwear to someone,
excessive pointing, fist clenching and pounding of the right fist into the left palm
 Using the Right hand when eating (Left hand traditionally being used for personal hygiene)
 It is prohibited, rushing into doing business before conversation and the drinking of tea and
coffee (violation of a desert code of hospitality, a code stemming from the recognition that a
desert traveler who is denied hospitality might not survive)
 Admiring a movable possession of a Saudi, since an hospitable Saudi will feel obliged to
offer the possession as a gift to the guest admirer.
 Instead of an income tax, Saudi Arabia has the zakat. It is a 2.5% impost that is it is levied on
assets rather than income and is required of Muslims but not on guest workers.
 Arabs are very special in serving and honoring their guests. When a guest arrives, they will
leave their personal affairs and welcome their guests. The thing that distinguishes in receiving
guests with the habits of people in Indonesia, Arabs usually separate male and female guests.
Male guests are hosted by male hosts while female guests by women. Likewise, the Arabs
have a tradition, making the door to the house differently, between the entrance of the male
guest and the entrance of the female guest.
  Most people in Saudi Arabia often carry a set of prayer beads, called Misbahah, or “worry
beads.” The original purpose of the beads was to count the number of prayers during prayer
calls. These beads come on a string like a small necklace, usually in a set of 33 to 99 beads.
 Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country where shops and other public facilities are required
to close during prayer time which takes place five times a day and employees and customers
are sent off to pray. Thus, the "religious police" (also known as Haia or Mutaween)
 Older brothers—even if older by only a few days—should have their hand kissed by younger
brothers, sit above them on formal occasions, enter a room before them.
 In Saudi Arabia, the family honor rest in its member, especially women. Women are privacy
that can not be distrubed by outsiders.

Do’s

 Spend some time building a relationship and engaging in small talk before discussing a
particular matter with your Saudi counterpart. Being too direct or task-oriented can come
across as impolite or impersonal.
 Show interest in the well-being of a Saudi’s family whenever you see them (e.g. “How are
your children?”). However, it is best not to enquire about a man’s wife or personal matters
unless they open up to you first. Innocent curiosity about certain family matters can make
people feel uncomfortable.
 Try to be generous with your time and be open to performing favours. Saudis often go out of
their way to help those that they have a good relationship with if it is within their means. To
be ‘cheap’ or ‘stingy’ is considered a very poor quality.
 Say “Mashallah” (May God bless) after complimenting or praising something. This phrase
lets your Saudi counterpart know that your compliment is well-intentioned (see Offering and
Complimenting Items in Etiquette).

Don’ts

 Avoid pushing people to share their opinion on Saudi politics or the royal family’s leadership.
Saudis generally do not feel comfortable discussing or explaining these topics. It is common
for people to give a generic answer to deflect the question (e.g. “the royal family is wise and
can be trusted to steer the kingdom’s affairs”).
 Do not openly discuss anything of a sexual nature, especially around members of the opposite
gender.
 Do not presume that Saudis are ‘closed off’ to the West or lack international awareness.
Many Saudis are exposed to different lifestyles and cultural ideas (such as western pop
culture) through the internet, international study, trade and travel. You can expect an urban,
educated Saudi to be familiar with other cultural backgrounds and global influences.
 Avoid mentioning issues relating to women’s rights, or drawing presumptions about a Saudi
woman’s freedom or happiness on the basis of her hijab, abaya or niqab. Wearing a hijab is a
woman’s personal decision and does not necessarily indicate that she holds conservative
ideologies or is oppressed.