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Libya Local Customs


Green tea - Libya
Green tea
by grets
Learn the local customs of Libya. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Libya locals.
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Berber cloaks and Tuareg turbans
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  • TheWanderingCamel
  • Updated By TheWanderingCamel on October 5, 2006
  • Libya Page by TheWanderingCamel
  • Berber and Tuareg - Libya
    Berber and Tuareg
    by TheWanderingCamel, 1 more photos
    All over Tripolitania, in the centre of Tripoli as much as in the small villages of the Jebel Nafusa, you will see men, young and old, wrapped toga-like in thick white woollen blankets. Handwoven - usually by a mother or a wife - they measure some two and a half metres, and they will last a lifetime. Warm in winter, supposedly cool in summer - they are as distinctively a Berber tradition as the face-veiling turban of the Tuareg of the desert.
    The Tuareg turban, 9 metres or more of fine cotton, wound around and around the head and brought across the bottom of the face - the Tuareg are the only men in the world to go veiled - is more likely these days to be made of fabric imported from China or India ( or, as I noticed printed on the edge as a man rewound his turban , Thailand) than the traditional indigo-dyed cloth that stained the faces blue - that's the global economy for you, and blue denim often replaces flowing embroidered robes on all but high days and holidays but there are still men who dress traditionally, Berber or Tuareg.

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    Home from the Haj
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  • TheWanderingCamel
  • Updated By TheWanderingCamel on February 7, 2006
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  • Haj doorway - Libya
    Haj doorway
    by TheWanderingCamel
    Walking through the old town in Ghadames, every now and then you will pass a door decorated with small red, green and gold rosettes. This is a local tradition that marks the occupier's completion of the Haj. Some are old and faded - others bright and new indicating a recent journey.

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    Always a "security officer" on board
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  • Luchonda
  • By Luchonda on November 2, 2007
  • Libya Page by Luchonda
  • The man on the right - it's him - Libya
    The man on the right - it's
    him
    by Luchonda
    The third man. (We called him Orson Welles - A security officer of the regime)
    It is a Libyan custom to appoint a so called security officer accompanying the group of tourists
    from the beginning of the tour till the end. On the bus, in the hotels, on all sites
    He rarely speaks english - but at the end, he is oké

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    Modern women clothes
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  • Luchonda
  • By Luchonda on November 3, 2007
  • Libya Page by Luchonda
  • Modern versus traditional clothing - Libya
    Modern versus traditional
    clothing
    by Luchonda,
    2 more photos
    Culture guidance : I was a little bit surprised to see so many shops in Tripoli and Benghazi selling nice and modern women clothes. Bought by woman entering the shop in traditional islamic clothes (head shawl). The guide told us : women in Libya pleases their husband behind closed doors. I accept this tradition, in islamic countries

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    Ghadames - Date harvest
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  • Luchonda
  • By Luchonda on November 4, 2007
  • Libya Page by Luchonda
  • Orchestra and dancer in action - Libya
    Orchestra and dancer in action
    by Luchonda, 2 more photos
    During my stay in Ghadames (end of october) the inhabitants were preparing the famous "Date harvest festival" Many people are visiting the market place next to the Mosque
    in the new town.
    We had the occasion to see the dancers preparing their show. The music is special.
    Pitty the performers didn't wear the traditional cloths.

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    Daily on the menu
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  • Luchonda
  • Updated By Luchonda on November 2, 2007
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  • Libyan Soup - Libya
    Libyan Soup
    by Luchonda, 3 more photos
    Eating in Libya, definately not a culinary trip
    Daily, sometimes twice
    - A so called "Libyan soup" (Spicy tomatosoup with local vegtables)
    - Bread in different tastes
    - Water 'a volonté' and a soft drink for free. NA drinks to be paid (Becks beer 2LD)
    - An entrance of local vegtables
    - Most of the time Couscous with chicken, fresh fish, lamb or camel meat
    - Mint tea

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    Gaddafi
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  • grets
  • By grets on March 13, 2005
  • Libya Page by grets
  • Gaddafi - Libya
    Gaddafi
    by grets
    All over Libya, huge posters showing pictures of their beloved leader, Coronel Gaddafi are found. This particular one was in the lobby of our hotel, and was at least six feet high.

    I do not wish to discuss politics here, so if you wish to find out more about Gaddafi, check out the link below.

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    A door reflecting symbolic signs
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  • Luchonda
  • Updated By Luchonda on November 5, 2007
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  • My husband visited Mecca - Libya
    My husband visited Mecca
    by Luchonda,
    1 more photos
    The doors in the islamic world has often a symbolic value or sign
    Picture 1 : My husband went to mecca, this picture was taken in Ghadames, small leather circle naps in the color of Ghadames City ( red yellow and green)
    Picture 2 : Knock one time, this is a man, knock three times, it will be a female.
    Sence : The lady of the house can take precautions to hide her face in case it is a male visitor.

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    Islamic tradition
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  • Luchonda
  • By Luchonda on November 5, 2007
  • Libya Page by Luchonda
  • Beck's or Heineken - Libya
    Beck's or Heineken
    by Luchonda
    Islamic tradition and rule - no alcoholic drinks !
    In the meanwhile i've been to some Arabic countries, from the west to the east, not mentioning the name.
    In many of this islamic countries you can have an alcoholic drink, but as far as i know, NOT in Libya or in Saudi Arabia- forget it.
    Nevertheless i pictured this bottle of 5%A Beck's beer brewed in Italy, and became suspicious.
    At the end i was satisfied, as it seems that the bottle was more than probaly jumped by an italian group, routing and transit in their 4wd car, searching for another adventure in the desert.

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    Green Tea
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  • grets
  • By grets on March 13, 2005
  • Libya Page by grets
  • Green tea - Libya
    Green tea
    by grets
    The local drink of choice is the green or mint tea. Usually served with masses of sugar, it can be very refreshing! It will be automatically brought to your table at the end of your meal at most reataurants. It is always served in small clear glass cups such as this one.

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