My Iraqi Culture
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
Iraqis
are very generous & loyal, and very polite to their friends. If a
friend asks for a favour, it is considered very rude to say no. it is
taboo to wish bad luck on someone because it might come true. While
having a conversation, it is rude to turn one’s foot out (or on the
table) so that the sole is facing the other person. The left hand is
used for sanitary purposes, therefore, it is never used when eating –
aside from using forks and knives.
[center]When
talking, Iraqis touch each other & stand closer together. People of
the same sex will often hold hands while talking or walking and kiss
when greeting, but public affection between people of the opposite sex
is discouraged.
Iraqis
talk a lot, talk loudly, repeat themselves often and interrupt each
other constantly. Conservations are highly emotional and full of
gestures. Some common Iraqi gestures are:
* Eyebrows raised and head tilted back = “No”
* Clicking the tongue with a tsk sound = "No"
* Forefinger moving right-to-left repeatedly = "No"
* Hand moving up and down palm facing down = "be quite"
* Hand moving away from the body the palm facing down = "Go away!"
* Hand reaching out while opening and closing the hand palm facing up = "come here"
* Right hand on heart after shaking hands = show of sincerity
* Shaking the head from side to side = lack of understanding, not necessarily disagreement.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Iraq
has a rich cultural history dating back to the Sumerians, thought to be
the first advanced civilization on earth. Storytelling has been
important since the very beginning. Mesopotamia’s stories have
influenced other literature and art in the world, including Biblical
stories (such as the Song of Songs, and The Psalms) & Greek epics & myths (such as The Iliad & Aesop’s Fables).
The most famous literacy works to emerge from this vast cultural history are the Epic of Gilgamesh (an Acadian hero-tale) & the One Thousands and One Nights (a collection of Arab Folktale)
ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
Football
“or soccer” is the favourites sport in Iraq. Outdoor activities are
popular; swimming & fishing are favourite’s recreations in the
Tigris & Euphrates Rivers during the summer.
Rural
men hunt & fish with friends and shop together for food and drinks
at the market and bazaars of the town. Rural women shopping, visit with
each other and talk, cook, or make handicraft.
The
most noteworthy fact about Iraqi entertainment and recreation is that
it is nearly always done in the company of others. Iraqis are extremely
social people.
FAMILY LIFE
The
family is the most important social unit in Iraq, and family loyalty is
one of the most important values. Honor, both personal and family, is
also very important.
It is
considered a disgrace to speak badly about a family member, or tell
non-family members about bad things that have happened in the family. A
family consists of all related kin, and can include hundreds of people.
Rural families live with or near each other, while urban families stay
closely connected through other means.
The
traditional household of a typical man in his 40s consists of himself,
his wife, their unmarried sons and daughters, their married sons and
their wives and children, the man’s mother if she is still alive, and
frequently his unmarried sisters if he has any.
Very
probably, the most powerful force in the household is the man’s mother.
Her sons revere her, and her daughters-in-law must do her bidding. The
structure of Arab society is such that financial power is in the hands
of the husband, although his wife is not completely without influence.
Sex
roles are very clearly defined in Iraq. In rural areas, this strict
division many times causes the sexes to be segregated except when
eating and sleeping.
Most
marriages are arranged by families, but a couple must approve a match.
Divorce is very rare, even when it’s fairly easy under Islamic Shari’a
(law)
Young
children are adored and indulged, though they are strictly punished for
misbehaviours. They are expected to obey their parents and
grandparents. Iraqis believe that wisdom increases with age, so the
elderly are deeply revered.
RITES OF PASSAGE
Weddings
are the most important festivals – aside from Islamic holy days – in
Iraqi life. Relatives and friends hold parties for a few days before a
wedding, which is usually short.
The
birth of a child is another occasion for a big celebration. Three days
after the birth, family members and friends come to visit and bring
gifts for the child. Sometime between 9 – 13 years old, children begin
the “al-Khitma”, or the reading of the Quran. A child studies
for a year or more to prepare for this task. When ready, those who read
the Quran with minimal errors, earn the title of “Hafiz”
(someone of good memory). After a successful reading, the family holds
a celebration in the child’s honor, usually a luncheon or tea.
Relatives give the child gifts and money, and everyone wears colourful
clothes.
So this is our amazing culture....Thanks God that we are Iraqis
With all My Love to My Iraq and Iraqis
Best regards
Subject: My Iraqi Culture 
Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:57 pm
