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Jiddah Local Customs

we do mix in public however - Jiddah
we do mix in public however
by Manyana
Learn the local customs of Jiddah. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Jiddah locals.
Local Time 2:16 am Saturday, July 26, 2008
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Wedding Customs: What to expect part II
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  • By marimar_72 on June 24, 2005
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  • Wdding hall - Jiddah
    Wdding hall
    by marimar_72
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    When the couples reach the stage, they will be seated, drinking a juice (not champagne) pictures are taken, then they might dance together (Arabic dancing, although some like to slow dance).
    Then the cake either brought to them to be cut, or they walk again to the cake in order to cut it.
    After that the ladies are invited to the buffet.
    The groom and bride have their own table to eat (they need all the energy) LOL.

    After the buffet most of the people leave, but the close friends and relatives stay to dance with the bride (the groom leaves after the meal so he gives a chance for his bride to enjoy her friends).

    At around 4-5am the groom comes back, takes his bride and off they go to their first night together.

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    Welcoming New babies to the World: Welcoming babies part II
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  • Updated By marimar_72 on October 19, 2004
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  • Decoration - Jiddah
    Decoration
    by marimar_72
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    Here is a picture of a decorated door in a hosptial,the baby is a boy as you can tell.

    The baby gets his (Sabi`e)Done in after a week from his birth date,some couples like to delay it until the mother catches her breath ;-)
    it`s like a shower party only done after birth.friends and relatives are invited,some like to combine 2 celebrations together,where also kids of the family are invited,then it`s called (Rahmani)by the Jiddawi accent.
    The baby wears his best clothes(there are even some special custom wear for this occation)...candles are lit and handed to other kids to sing in joy around the new born..candies and gifts are handed to the children.
    most songs involve prayers for the new born baby wishing him a good health and good future.
    Then everybody feasts on meat and rice,yet some families like to add more of the international cuisine too.

    The Rahmani song goes like"Ya rab ya Rahmani,barik lana fil ghlami"
    which means:
    Oh Lord,oh merciful one,bless our new born baby".

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    Holy Month of Ramadan: Samoosa (or Samboosak)
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  • By marimar_72 on October 29, 2005
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  • Samboosa - Jiddah
    Samboosa
    by marimar_72
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    This is a kind of savoury pastery that is favored for Ramadan breakfast,it`s almost impossible to find a Ramadan(Islamic month of fasting) table with out a Samoosa,either filled with minced meat,white cheese,chedder cheese or even dates.
    I think it was originally brought from India,but in Arabic it`s called samboosak,or Samboosa.

    here is a picture of my home made Samboosak,
    it`s filled with meat,onions and dill.And I usually cook them in a well heated oven,,not deep fried ;-)

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    Religion/History/Culture: Driving for the ladies ...
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  • Updated By kenyneo on April 20, 2004
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  • watch out for the drivers - Jiddah
    watch out for the drivers
    by kenyneo
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    Ladies are not allowed to drive throughout the kingdom. This applies to expat as well.

    Thus moving around would be a little inconvenient. Well there is always the limo service .

    Well for those who is used to driving, this could be something that you need to consider !

    Anyway not being able to drive is sometimes a blessing especially in a country where road accident rate is among the top in the world !

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    Eid Celebrations: Eid cash gifts for kids!
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  • By marimar_72 on November 18, 2005
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  • Eid Cash gifts for kids - Jiddah
    Eid Cash gifts for kids
    by marimar_72
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    Among all the sweets,candies,going out and fireworks,,,this is for sure is the best thing that Eid celebrations brings to children.

    Older relatives(parents,grandparents,aunts and uncles)give away an amount of cash money for young children, each depending on his encome.In Arabic it`s called Eidiyyah.

    Here is a picture of what my kids collected in Eid Al Fitr( the one that ends Ramadan holy month) and their calculator...
    My sister usually gives away her cash in small nots tied with a ribbon to make it look more in the eyes of my kids ;-)

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    Welcoming New babies to the World: Welcoming New babies
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  • Updated By marimar_72 on May 3, 2005
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  • Choclates,dates and Arabic coffee - Jiddah
    Choclates,dates and Arabic
    coffee
    by marimar_72
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    With the joys of having a new born babies,many families start to show it the minute he/she arrive.
    The couples hire someone to decorate the mother`s room at the hospital with theme that matches the baby`s gender..if it`s a boy,the whole room is decorated in blue,,if it`s a girl,,yes you guessed it..it`s pink.

    As a custom Arabic coffee as well as dates and choclates are served for those who come to visit the mother.

    Here is a picture of what was served at my newly born nephew.

    Our religion also requires us to slaughter 2 sheeps/goats in the baby`s honor and to feast on it by inviting friends and relatives in a ceremony called (Sabi`e) or (Rahmani).

    If the baby is a girl then it`s only 1 sheep/goat in her honor....not beacuse she`s less important,but to tell you the truth,girls cost a lot more when they grow up ;-)

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    Wedding Customs: As a Lady,what to expect on a Saudi wedding
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  • Updated By marimar_72 on June 30, 2005
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  • Wedding stage(Koosha) - Jiddah
    Wedding stage(Koosha)
    by marimar_72
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    At first you will drive at the main gate where you will be stopped and asked, which wedding are you attending…of course you have the wedding invitation, so you will have no problem with that.

    When you are dropped off in front of the hall's gate, another security guard will take the small card from you and allows you to enter the ball.

    Then you will need to place your Abaya at the front desk kind of like the coat room in nightclubs.

    You enter and you will see a line of ladies sitting next to the door, these are the family members of the bride and groom greeting people at the door and guiding them to their acquaintance.

    So many chandeliers that make the ball so sparkle, the air is filled with incense and the ladies are glamorous.

    There will be an all ladies music band that plays mainly Arabic music, ladies dance the night away until about 12-1am.

    Then they announce that the bride and groom are coming down, so every one rushes to take their Abayas,
    When everybody is covered, the couples walk down the aisle to certain music,
    The ladies then express their feeling by doing what we Arabs call a Zaghroodah (or Zaghrootah), it's a loud voice done with the tongue, which may sound to you as (Lu Lu Lu leyy)!
    This is by far the most amusing thing in Arab weddings, each country has it's own poems and wishes to say after or before a Zaghroota, here in Saudi we mostly say what is translated into (Thousands of prayers and peace be upon you, oh Allah's most beloved person, Mohammad).

    This picture shows the stage (called Koosha in Arabic)where the couples are seated,you can also see another seats next to that,for the band.

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    Holy Month of Ramadan: The Night Before Eid!
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  • By marimar_72 on November 24, 2003
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  • Candy Vendors - Jiddah
    Candy Vendors
    by marimar_72
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    I took my kids to the city center where they can experience and feel the spirit of Eid(it`s the celebrations that ends the Holy month of Ramadan).
    There are many vendors all over the streets selling candies and sweets in preprations for the next day........
    Everybody is happy specially the kids....and a candy lover "like me"!!!!!!

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    Prayertime Retreat: During the prayer time ( 5 times aday )
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  • Updated By kenyneo on April 20, 2004
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  • yummy Chillis - Jiddah
    yummy Chillis
    by kenyneo
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    All outlets will be closed during prayer
    times ( 5 times a day for about 30 min)..and these time will differ a littl from day to day but no worries ...coz you can always check the daily for the 5 prayers' time

    And imagine , there are even some religious police patrolling to ensure that shops abide by such rules , although some brave restaurant will just shut everything and pull down the curtain/blinds....I guess eating in the dark is better than standing outside for 1/2 hour , dont you think ?

    Timing is precious here !

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    Greetings customs: Jiddah people's greeting...
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  • By Manyana on April 22, 2004
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  • we do mix in public however - Jiddah
    we do mix in public however
    by Manyana
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    For both women and men, this greeting is common. It's to touch cheek by cheek three times on the right, one time on the left, no kissing, as one shakes hands.
    This greeting is only common among men to men, or women to women. Unless if women and men are relatives (brother, father, unkle, nephew only).

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