EMIRATI CULTURE

Emirati culture is based on Arabian culture and has been influenced

by the cultures of Persia, India and Northeast Africa. Arabian and
Persian inspired architecture is part ofthe expression of the local
Emirati identity. Inlfuence on Emirati culture is noticeably visible i
traditional Emirati folk arts; for example the Barjeel has becom an
identifying markof traditional Emirati culture from Persian culture.
Emirati males usually wear a kandura, an ankle length white tunia
woven from wool or cotton, and Emirati women wear an abaya, a
black over garment that cover most parts of the body.
Arabic is the National Language, since the area was protected by
British and until 1971, English was the primary lingua franca. other
widely used languages are PErsian, Nepali, Bengali, Hindi-Urdu,
Pashto and Tagalog