Introduction

Overview
The following characteristics of Kuwait and its
people will be presented:

• Geography
• History
• Peoples and Ethnic Groups
• Language
• Religious Influences
• Society and Norms
• Behavior and Etiquette
• Cultural Summary

The purpose of this brief is to familiarize you with the values, beliefs,
behaviors and norms of modern Kuwait; significant cultural
differences between America and Kuwait will be presented so that
U.S. military operators can understand and anticipate the behavior
and thought processes of the Kuwaiti people.
 Geography

• About the size of Connecticut

• Situated along northwestern tip of the Persian Gulf

• Bordered also by Iraq and Saudi Arabia

• The capital, Kuwait City lies along the southern shore of Kuwait Bay
Wisconsin Comparison to
Kuwait
 Geography (Continued)

• Flat barren desert

• Long and intensely hot summers to 120°F

• Short pleasant winter averaging near 59°F

• Exceedingly dry
 History

• Small settlements traded with Mesopotamian cities for some 2000 years

• Nomadic inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula known as Bedouins (People of the

Tent) - (patriarchal culture) head of the family is a “Sheikh”

• Islam founded in modern day Saudi Arabia in 7th century and spread throughout the
region

• Part of successive Arab dynasties until the 13th century

 History (Continued)

• al-Sabah family established sheikdom in 1750s

• Became protectorate of Great Britain in 1899 to defend against Ottoman Turkish

aggression

• Became Sheikhdom of Kuwait (Fortress Encircled by Water) from 1920-1961

• Huge oil reserves discovered in the 1930s

 History (Continued)

• Granted independence in 1961 from the British.

• Iraq invaded in 1990

• Coalition invasion in 1991 drove Iraqi military out (1st Persian Gulf War/Desert
Storm)

• Kuwait provided staging ground for coalition invasion of Iraq in 1993

Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah

 History (Continued)

• Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah died in January 2006 after over 30 years of rule.

• Former Prime Minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Jaber al-Sabah became emir

• Kuwait is a Unitary Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy.

• 5th largest oil reserves in the world.

Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah Sheikh Sabah al-Jaber al-Sabah

 Peoples and Ethnic Groups

• Population of 2.8 million (2017) – Wisconsin = 5.8 million

• Kuwaiti nationals are almost entirely of Arab ethnicity

and comprise 31% of population

• Remainder are largely foreign workers 37% Asian

• 98% of population is urban

• Bedouins (Original) - and Bedouins (non-citizen Arabs)

from other regions.
 Language

• Arabic is the official language

• English used widely

• Numerous expatriate languages

 Religious Influences

• Official religion is Islam but constitution provides freedom of religion.

• Islam literally means “submission” to God or Allah.

• Muslim means “One who submits”

• 5 Pillars of Islam:
• Worship 1 God Allah, and live by his words in the Qur’an as received
by the Prophet Mohammad (Shahadah)
• Prayer obligation is 5 times daily facing Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Salat)
• Charitable giving to the poor (Zakat)
• Fasting during Holy month of Ramadan (Sawm)
• Making a pilgrimage once in a lifetime to Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Hajj)

Mecca, Saudi Arabia Bedouin Prayer Facing Mecca

 Religious Influences (Continued)

• 76% Muslim

• Among Muslims: 75% Sunni, 25% Shi’a

• All Kuwaiti nationals are Muslim

• Non-citizen religions include Christian (17%), Hindu, Zoroastrianism

 Religious Influences (Continued)

• Shari’a (a body of moral and religious law derived from religious prophecy)

• Inshallah: One’s destiny is in the hands of God, or Allah

• Alcohol use, smoking, dress and even dining etiquette are subject to change,
particularly during religious holidays

• Workweek runs from Saturday to Wednesday

• Weekend is Thursday-Friday
 Society and Norms
Family and Family Values

• Heritage is highly group oriented

• Desert survival historically meant mutual dependence

• Loyalty to family or clan is far more important than individual achievement

• Individual sacrifices for the group – from tribal mindset

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Family and Family Values (Continued)

• Large kin groups (extended familiy are the

fundamental social unit)

• Several generations may live together

• Oldest male leads but wife has significant influence.

(Patriarchal)

• Entire extended family raises children

• Arranged marriages less common

 Society and Norms (Continued)

Gender Roles

• Men viewed as providers and responsible for family well being and prestige

• Women viewed as wives and mothers and responsible for the household

• Women today make up roughly 10% of the Kuwaiti work force

• Gender segregation remains common in social life

• Cohabitation, dating and females living alone are socially taboo

Historical Perspective Female Members of Kuwaiti Parliament

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Dress and Appearance - Male

• Arab head dress includes 3 parts

• Tagiya - small white cap
• Ghutra – white square cloth
• Shumagg red & white checkered
• Kaffiya black & white checkered
• Agal - woven black band

• Protection from sun

• Transition from childhood to manhood

• Headwear not usually worn in the home

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Dress and Appearance - Male (Continued)

• Dishdasha/thobe - typically white over garment

• Bisht/mishlah - formal cloak type garment

• Most men have a mustache

• Silver jewelry
 Society and Norms (Continued )
Dress and Appearance - Female

• Hijab - to veil or cover

• Abaya – long sleeved flowing gown

• Gold jewelry
 Society and Norms (Continued)
Housing

• Kuwaiti citizens typically have large, lavish homes

• Non-citizen worker typically live in small apartments

• Domestic servants often housed in apartments on employers property

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Class Differences

• 5 wealth based class levels

• Ruling family
• Old Kuwaiti merchant families
• Citizens of Bedouin heritage
• Arabs from neighboring nations
• Non-Arab foreigners

• Growing foreign population a source of conflict

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Literacy and Education

• Free public education

• Students at all levels are typically gender segregated

• Some public schools emphasize Islamic based education

• 95% literacy rate for school age children

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Medicinal and Healing Practices

• High quality health care (NCM works with at least five clinics)

• Exception is specialized treatment

• Free or low cost to residents (Ministry Hospitals)

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Crime, Vice and Trafficking in Persons

• Low crime rate

• Automobile accidents a leading cause of death

• Harassment of non-citizen females by foreign workers occurs

• Terrorism an ongoing concern

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Crime, Vice and Trafficking in Persons (Continued)

• Prostitution is illegal but common

• No law specifically prohibiting trafficking in persons

• Destination country for labor exploitation

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Recreation

• Visiting, shopping, dining

• Soccer is the most popular sport

• Camel and auto racing

• Desert camping, water sports, driving

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Holidays - Secular

• New Year’s - 1 January

• Kuwaiti National Day - 25 February

• Kuwait Liberation Day - 26 February

 Society and Norms (Continued)
Holidays - Religious
• Ramadan is Holy month
• Month Muhammad received his first revelations from
God

• Eid al-Fitr: 3 day feast ending Ramadan

• Eid al-Adha: Feast of Sacrifice after pilgrimage to Mecca

• Moulid al-Nabi celebrates Muhammad’s birthday

• Ashura - Shi’a celebrate martyrdom of Muhammad’s grandson

 Behavior and Etiquette
Introductions, Meeting and Greeting

• Conservative Arab males do not physically touch females in public

• A handshake is the standard formal greeting

• Close acquaintances may kiss on alternate cheeks

• “Assalamu alaykum” means “may peace be with you”

• “Marhaba” means “hello”

 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued )
Non-Verbal Communications

• Honor, dignity and respect held in high

regard

• Arabs tend to stand very close while

conversing

• Males and females avoid displays of affection

in public

• Avoid pointing at others or beckoning with 1

finger

• Do not walk in front of others while they are

praying

Wrong!
 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Non-Verbal Communications (Continued)

• Adults and children generally keep to themselves and avoid attention

• It is rude to display the bottom of your feet to others

• Elderly are treated with respect

• Males should not ask about female family members or stare at women in public
 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Official Business and Meetings

• Developing personal relationships is critical to conducting business

• Inshallah means “perhaps” or “If Allah wills it”, rarely will they say “no”

• Contrasting Western and Arab thinking styles

• Avoid criticism
 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Official Business and Meetings (Continued)

• Adherence to time constraints less fixed

• Relationships are considered more important than clocks

• Meetings do not have fixed time boundaries

• Impolite to jump right into business

• Absenteeism is highly insulting

 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Social Engagements and Visiting

• Heritage dictates hospitality and generosity

• Visiting is a common social occurrence

• Diwaniyah - male social gathering

• Tea, coffee or juice is typically served

• If you admire an object too much, they will feel obligated to give it to you
 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Food and Dining

• Traditional Arab dining styles changing

• Buffet style on mat on the floor becoming less common
• Low table, individual plates and utensils the new norm
• Males less likely to dine separately
• Dining out becoming more common

• Meals
• Breakfast: meat and cheese
• Lunch and dinner: rice and meat dishes

• Muslims do not eat pork and alcohol is illegal

 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Conversational Etiquette

Bad topics of conversation: Good topics of conversation:

• Religion, spirituality, afterlife • General family welfare
• Israel • Education
• Homosexuality • Sports
• Drugs • Economics
• War • Dining
• Males discussing females • Credentials and connections
• Alcohol
 Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Other Physical Gestures

• Right hand on tip of nose means “It’s in front of me”

• Placing right hand on chest immediately after shaking hands shows respect

• Fingertips and thumb together pointing up means be patient or be careful

• Clicking right thumbnail on front teeth means “I have no money”

• Biting right forefinger sideways in mouth expresses regret

• The thumbs-up gesture is crude to Arabs

Woops! Close but not exactly right

 Cultural Summary

• Ancient Arab culture adapting to new found oil wealth and modern culture

• Understanding Bedouin heritage is key to understanding Arab and Kuwait culture

• Islam provides dominant overarching social structure

• Extended family provides the primary social unit

• Well educated and progressive society with English speaking exposure

• Expanding expatriate population with no citizenship privileges is a source of

conflict

• Honor, dignity and respect held in highest regards

• Emphasis on hospitality and generosity within groups

• Establishing relationships critical to success

• Contrasting Western and Middle Eastern thinking styles area of potential conflict