Culture of Kuwait

Culture consists of behaviors, traditions, customs, beliefs, and languages. Culture has characteristics that

make a society stand different from others. Kuwait is one of the countries with outstanding culture. It has

different customs, traditions, languages, and beliefs. This culture exists in the Middle east which borders

the Persian Gulf. It is between Saudi Arab and Iran. Kuwait is a country that is fascinating and has a rich

history with outstanding culture. It is easy to visit Kuwait with the Kuwaiti visa. Before going to Kuwait,

visitors should know the customs and certain laws and follow them strictly until the period they leave the

country.

Majority of Religion in Kuwait

Kuwait has embraced much of the western culture but its practices mainly remain unchanged. The

majority in the country are mainly Muslims and follow Islam. Sharia laws are followed all along with the

country. Muslims are required to worship Allah five times a day.

Family customs and traditions

Strong ties between family members are important. This is because it is one of the customs and traditions

in Kuwait and is needed to be followed strictly. On religious occasions like Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha and

Eid Milad un Nabi (S.A.W), families should gather and enjoy being together.

Kuwait's other culture and beliefs

Kuwait has a male-dominated culture. At the heart of the country, has the Diwaniyah. This is a separate

room where the men gather, talk, play, and enjoy refreshments. Women are not allowed to interfere. They

are also not allowed to vote.

The visitors to Kuwait should be aware that some things are very strictly prohibited. Some of them are:
Alcohol, homosexual acts, pork products, heterosexual couples living together. These acts are known to

be illegal as they are strictly forbidden in Islam. As they are forbidden, Kuwait is known as a country for

its tolerance of cultures of other countries. Although, religious practices can be freely made. Ramadan is

considered very important in Kuwait. According to Kuwait's culture and customs, Muslims should work

only 6 hours a day in Ramadan. They should fast. It is prohibited to eat, drink, smoking, or chewing gum

before sunset.

Even foreigners are not allowed to break these rules in Ramadan.

After the sunset, everyone should break their fast and celebrations should continue after the breaking of

fast. Many businesses and jobs have reduced timetables in Ramadan.

Kuwaiti customs and etiquette

Kuwait is a safe country to visit. People and visitors feel peace until and unless they follow the rules and

laws of the Kuwaiti culture. Therefore, if someone is unaware of the laws and customs followed in

Kuwait, it is easy to encounter the problems. Women are given great respect and play a great role in

Kuwait rather than women in other countries. Mostly, people of the same gender attend the gatherings.

Seldom, women and men go out together. If a man goes out to a gathering organized by a woman, the gift

he takes will be by any female relation. He cannot give that gift under his name.

If you are invited to a dinner or lunch at a Kuwaiti house, you must follow the etiquettes. Here are some

of them:

 Dress nicely

 Bring a small gift as a token of love.

 Don't bring alcohol as Kuwaitis are forbidden to use it.

 Check whether your host is wearing shoes. If not, then remove yours.

 Accept any offers of food or drink as not accepting is rude.

  Eat only with your right hand.

 Guests are often served with the popular best dishes. There may be some which you are not used

to so be prepared!

 Leave some food on your plate otherwise more will be served.

 The meal is finished when the host stands

Popular culture of Kuwait.

Kuwait is known as the Hollywood of the gulf because of its international popularity of its soap operas

and theatres. Kuwaiti soap operas are mostly successful. Kuwait is the only country in the gulf that has a

theatrical tradition and Kuwaiti poetry film, radio and television also flourish in the surrounding

countries. Kuwait has fascinating museums such as Bait Al Othman, the scientific center, and the

museum of modern art.

The Art in Kuwait

Kuwait’s art is marked as important. The most prominent of them are Bedouin crafts. These

inhabit Kuwait and weaving art is especially maintained. The woven fabrics are made on “Sadu”

which is a Bedouin loom. They are common in the bazaars. “Sadu house” is a museum for

Bedouin crafts and it also offers classes on weaving. Also popular are traditional dances,

including the ʿarḍah, which features swords and poetry singing. The government

supports the preservation of folk arts and funds numerous organizations, as well as

several troupes that perform across the country.

Cultural institutions in Kuwait

The country had a numerous museum. After the invasion of Iraq, they were badly destroyed. The national

museum of Kuwait was badly destroyed. Luckily, some part of it was renovated and reopened to the
public. It once had many collections of Islamic art. The loss had increased the importance of the Tariq

Rajab mosque which was a private collection featuring metalwork, jewelry, paintings and poetry etc. The

Seif palace is one of the most famous tourist attractions.

Sports and recreation:

Kuwait’s sports culture, like that of other gulf states, combines the traditional sports of nomadic

Arabian society with contemporary sports of Western origin. Traditional sports of enduring

popularity include camel and horse racing; Arabian horses are held to be among the finest in the

world. Falconry is enjoyed primarily by wealthy sheikhs, although the overhunting of game and,

after 1990, the presence of unexploded land mines in the desert have reduced its practice.

Kuwaitis have competed at the national and international levels in the country’s two most widely

played sports, football (soccer) and golf. 

Conclusion:

Although Kuwait embraces many facets of Western culture,

the country remains culturally conservative. Its Arab-Islamic heritage

permeates daily life. As in much of the Middle East, the rise of Islamic

fundamentalism in the 1970s and ’80s was reflected in a general

return to traditional customs, as seen in the public dress of women,

who began wearing the ḥijāb, or veil, far more than in the past. The

right of women to drive automobiles and to work outside the home is

generally accepted and has not been a matter of public debate, yet the

question of granting women the right to vote has divided Islamists,

some of whom seek to enforce even more conservative Islamic

standards such as those found in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.