| Learn the local customs of Riyadh. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Riyadh locals. Riyadh Map |
 | Riyadh Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 80 |  |
Ramadan is the Holy Month for our Muslim brothers and sisters.It falls on the 9th month of the Hijrah Calendar or Lunar (moon)Calendar. The date and month may not be fixed if it would be based on Gregorian Calendar.
The holy month of Ramadan is considered as one of the higights of the year , and during this time our Muslim brothers and sisters fast from dawn to dusk. The celebration culminates with the Eid-Al-Fitr holiday, in which it is customary to buy presents and clothes for children and visit friends and relatives.
The Arab calendar is a lunar calendar. The 12 months are:
Muharram (30 days)
Safar (29 days)
Rabi'a al-Awal (30 days)
Rabi'a ath-Thani (29 days)
Jumada al-Ula (30 days)
Jamada Ath-Thaniya (29 days)
Rajab (30 days)
Sha'aban (29 days)
Ramadan (30 days)
Shawwal (29 days)
Dhul Qa'dah (30 days)
Dhul Hijjah (29 days: 30 days in a leap year)
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Its is stated in the Holy Quran (the Holy Book Of Muslims)that men are allowed to marry upto 4 times at the same time provided that they give just and fair treatment to their wives.
Today, life has changed alot in terms of marrying more than 1 wife. Men having 4 wives rarely exist nowadays.
Though fixed marriage still exists..the value of family and family ties still hold a very important role in the society.
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 by Cielo_Algaeed
It inlcudes 7 complete turns around the Kaaba (House of God) as well as 7 laps between Mt. Safa and Mt. Merwah. One lap is approximately 500m.
Performing Umrah can last for a short period of time (approximately 1 hr for a fit person).
Footnote:
a. There is no age limit when performing Umrah
b. Special white cloth has to be worn with no undergarments for men
c. Women must uncover their faces and wear an ordinary dress.
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 Chicken sombusa by Cielo_Algaeed
The reason why they eat dates when breaking their fast is because dates contain high sugar content to balance the sugar level in the body after refraining from drink and food for the whole day.
Main course inlcudes: Soup, sambusa, baked macaroni and rice with chicken or meat.
Sweets or desserts are usually served as well like dumplings or creme caramel.
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 by Cielo_Algaeed
Arabic Coffee or Gahwa is a special mixture of Arabic Coffee and Cardamom. Cardamon is always added to Saudi coffee, either crushed or whole pods, giving it a distinctive flavour, and aiding digestion. A pinch of saffron may be added on special occasions, or by the wealthy.
The coffee is poured from a long-spouted pot called a dallah. The greeny-yellow coffee is drunk without milk or sugar from small handleless cups, which are only half filled.
Guests should accept no more than three cups unless with close friends. It is courteous to accept one cup, although not essential to drink it. Always hold the cup in your right hand.
To signal that no more coffee is required, wobble the cup from side to side (or in some areas cover it with the palm of the hand).
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 by Cielo_Algaeed
They served the food on the floor and usually they dont used spoon and fork but rather used their right hand for eating.
For dinner by invitation..(e.g. meeting your in laws) part of their eating tradition is that, men eat first then the women.
Tea or Arabic coffee are being serve before and after meal.
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 by Cielo_Algaeed
Family area are more of a cubicle type of room/space which can usually accomodate maximum 6 persons. The Picture shown is a sample of a family area cubicle.It is usually made of frost or non clear glasses.
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It is part of the Saudi culture that men and women are not seated together during functions unless they are related to each other (brother and sister, nephew and nieces, mother and children )
So if ever you are invited to a Saudi family expect that women will go to the women sitting room while men go to the male sitting room.
It is a tradition being carried for many years and still being practice upto this time.
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 My hubby wearing the Shomagh
and Thobe by Cielo_Algaeed, 1 more photos
In the past, Arabs used to wear head dress called SHOMAGH to protect their faces from sand storms and tie it with a robe called (UKAL).
And as the time past by, it became a distinct mark of Arab men around the globe.
The White straight dress that they wear is called THOBE. They wear a white thobe during summer while they wear darker colors during winter.
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Another gesture of Saudi hospitality is the burning of incense (oud) to welcome guests. It has a very distinct Arab smell.
Oud came from a bark of a 100year old tree either from Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.
A gram or kilo of this will make a hole in your pocket. From 100USD up per kilo.
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