How Western Culture Influences Arab Customs
If you come from Western culture, you might not know a lot about Arab customs and traditions. You might associate this with only one culture or country but the truth is that the Arab world consists of many diverse communities and groups with their own rich cultures. It more or less includes the Middle East and North Africa, i.e. the area known as MENA, and some other areas such as Somalia, Djibouti, and the Comoros Islands – 22 countries overall.
On the other hand, people of Arabian origins have migrated to all parts of the world, from the UK and the US to Brazil. It is estimated that around 3.6 million Americans are of Arab descent, while there are around 250 thousand British Arabs according to the 2011 census. Furthermore, there is an estimation that 29 million Arab people have migrated since 1990.
With all the migration happening, have any Arab traditions been affected? There are certain things that come to mind when talking about the Arab culture, from their religion to their customs all the way to the delicious food. So, has the migration and adoption of parts of Western culture led to any changes in these traditions?
Influence on traditional cuisine
From manakeesh, the pizza of the Arab world, through shawarma all the way to baklava, the Middle Eastern cuisine is full of delicious meals that are rich in flavor and aroma.
While there are families that pass recipes down for generations without changing a single thing, there are also those that live in an environment that encourages experimenting with dishes. People express themselves through cooking and second- or third-generation immigrants that grew up, for example, with a mixture of Arab and American food are creating fusion dishes that do amazingly well among customers.
If you go out and are looking for true Arab cuisine, you can surely find some spots that can deliver. However, if you find yourself in the USA, chances are that you will also encounter various restaurants and food joints that offer an Americanized version of a traditional Arab dish. For example, in Detroit, Michigan, you can find a modified falafel that is served on hamburger buns or falafel with vegetarian chili.
Studies that have been conducted to see how Arab students change their diet while studying in the US have found that there was a significant change in food choices and eating patterns. What is more, with various fast food options, eating at home becomes less often.
Changes to sources of entertainment
While most people consider Arab culture to be super conservative, there is great diversity in these countries, as we said. This does not apply only to the people that have emigrated from these regions. It also means that there are many Middle East cities that Westerners like to visit for a great party experience. Even though alcohol is prohibited in some countries, that doesn’t mean that the fun can’t go on until dawn.
In addition to partying, the gaming and gambling industries are gaining a big following in Arab culture. Seeing as how some Arab countries have completely banned gambling and some have taken a more liberal approach, Arabs that live in foreign countries, where this practice is legal, have made the most of the opportunity. However, it is important to find a reliable and licensed operator they can trust when it comes to sharing personal and financial information. What is more, having a game-play and adequate bankroll management strategy is essential in order to know how to bet wisely.
What is the deal with alcohol?
People usually think that Muslims do not drink at all but that is simply not true. Yes, there are countries like Saudi Arabia where alcohol of any kind is banned. However, while most Muslims do consider it to be something negative, there are also those that drink in moderation or in secrecy.
Furthermore, there is a study concerning alcohol use among Arab Americans. The limited data showed signs of acculturation, with 46.2% of immigrants reporting lifetime use of alcohol but the rate is only 13.4% among refugees fleeing war.
From entertainment to introducing changes to family recipes all the way to increased alcohol consumption, there are many ways how Western culture has influenced Arab customs. What is important, however, is that none of the Arab traditions are being abandoned and forgotten and they continue to thrive.
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