Bahrain's Cultural Cluster: Understanding Its Rich Cultural Diversity

Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf near the Arabian Peninsula. It is an archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass. The country's population is around 1.5 million, with about half being foreign-born, mainly from Iran, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain, and the United States. Bahrain is officially an Islamic monarchy, with Arabic as the official language, though English is widely spoken. The country is known for its ethnic and religious diversity, with a large Christian minority and smaller Jewish and Hindu communities. Bahrain's culture is similar to that of its Arab neighbours in the Gulf region, and the country has a rich history, having been inhabited since prehistoric times and influenced by various empires, including the Persians, Greeks, and Portuguese. The country has a growing economy, with a focus on banking, tourism, and petroleum production, and is known for its cosmopolitanism and relatively relaxed social customs compared to its more conservative neighbours.

Bahrain's diverse population

Bahrain is a small but diverse country, with a population of around 1.5 million people as of 2023. The country is an archipelago, consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30-50 smaller islands. The population is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq.

Bahrain's population is ethnically and religiously diverse. The country is home to at least 8-9 different ethnic groups of Bahraini citizens, with the majority being Arab. There are also significant numbers of people from South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. The indigenous inhabitants of Bahrain are predominantly Shia, while Sunni Arabs make up the largest ethnic group. Shia Bahrainis are divided into two main ethnic groups, the Baharna and the Ajam, who are ethnic Persian Shias. Sunni Bahrainis are mainly divided into urban Arabs and Huwala, who are descendants of Sunni Iranians. In addition, there are ethnic Afro-Arabs, Balochis, and Indian Bahrainis.

Bahrain is also home to a variety of religious groups. While Islam is the official religion, with the country being predominantly Muslim, there are also Christian, Jewish, and Hindu communities. Bahrain has the largest Christian minority within the Arab states of the Arabian Gulf, with thousands of Christians holding Bahraini citizenship. The country is tolerant towards other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a Jewish synagogue present on the island.

Religious tolerance

Bahrain is a small country with a big heart, known for its religious tolerance and ethnically diverse population. While the state religion is Islam, the country is tolerant of other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a Jewish synagogue present on the island. Bahrain's culture is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia, so it shares similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Arabian Gulf region.

Bahrain's population is mostly Muslim, including both Sunni and Shia sects, but it also has the largest Christian minority within the Arab states of the Arabian Gulf. Thousands of Christians hold Bahraini citizenship, with Kuwait, the next closest GCC country, having only about 400 Christian citizens.

The constitution of Bahrain declares Islam to be the official religion and provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of places of worship, and freedom to perform religious rites. It also guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, as long as they do not infringe on the fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine. The law prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism.

While the government generally permits the free practice of religion, there have been reports of restrictions on Shia prisoners, with prison authorities denying them access to religious services and prayer time. There have also been instances of the government questioning, detaining, and arresting Shia clerics and community members, as well as monitoring and providing guidance for the content of sermons.

Despite these issues, Bahrain is still considered more religiously tolerant and accepting of modernisation and Westernisation than many of its neighbours. The country's social customs are more moderate and relaxed, and Western-style clothing is common, although traditional dress is still worn by some.

Bahrain also has a history of religious pluralism, with Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities coexisting alongside Muslim and Christian groups. The government has generally allowed these groups to maintain their places of worship and hold religious gatherings, although there have been some reports of restrictions on the construction of new religious buildings.

Overall, Bahrain can be characterised by its religious tolerance, with a diverse range of faiths and beliefs coexisting in the country. The government generally respects religious freedom, and Bahraini society is known for its acceptance of different religious groups, even if conversion from Islam is discouraged.

Traditional dress

The traditional dress of Bahrain reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and religious beliefs. While Western-style clothing is common in Bahrain, traditional attire is still valued and worn, particularly during special occasions and religious rituals.

Women's Traditional Dress

The traditional dress for Bahraini women is the "abaya" or "abayah", a long, loose-fitting black gown that covers the body from head to toe. Underneath the abaya, women typically wear a long dress or garment known as a "jalabiya", which comes in various colours, including vibrant red. The jalabiya is often decorated with intricate gold thread designs and hand-woven patterns. For the head, women wear a black cloth called a "hijab" or "veil", which covers their hair and neck, symbolizing modesty and privacy. Additionally, on special occasions, women may adorn a gold headpiece called a "gubgub".

Men's Traditional Dress

The traditional dress for Bahraini men is the "thobe" or "thawb", a long, loose-fitting tunic that reaches the ankles. The thobe has long sleeves and is made of lightweight fabric, such as cotton or wool, depending on the season. During the summer, men wear white thobes, while in winter, they opt for black ones. Over the thobe, men sometimes wear a "bisht", a soft woollen cloak that is usually black, brown, or grey.

The headdress is an essential part of the traditional men's attire in Bahrain. It consists of three main components: the "keffiyeh", the "ghutra", and the "agal". The keffiyeh is a white knitted skullcap worn under the ghutra. The ghutra is a square scarf, typically made of cotton, folded into a triangle and placed over the keffiyeh. It is commonly red and white checked or all white in Bahrain, although the colour choice holds no particular significance in the country. Finally, the agal, a thick, double black cord, is placed on top of the ghutra to secure it in place.

Food and cuisine

Bahrain's cuisine is a blend of flavours influenced by the country's history, geography, and cultural diversity. Bahraini citizens are ethnically diverse, with at least 8-9 different ethnic groups. The country's location in the Persian Gulf has brought several cultures together, including Persian, Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Portuguese, Arab, and British influences. As Bahrain was an important seaport and trading junction, its cuisine is a mixture of Arabic, Persian, Indian, Balochi, African, Far East, and European food.

Arabic coffee, or qahwah, is the national beverage, and tea is commonly drunk for hospitality. Other popular drinks include laban (a kind of salty buttermilk), yoghurt drinks, sharbat (sweet drinks), and soft drinks.

Bahrain's national dish is Machboos, a spiced rice dish typically made with basmati rice, meat (chicken, lamb, or fish), and a blend of aromatic spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and black lime. It is often garnished with fried onions and served with a side of tomato sauce called "dakous".

• Harees – a savoury porridge made from wheat and meat (usually chicken or lamb). The ingredients are slow-cooked until they form a smooth, thick consistency.
• Jireesh – a dish made from crushed wheat cooked with chicken or lamb, seasoned with spices, and topped with ghee.
• Samboosa – a popular appetiser or snack, it is a deep-fried pastry filled with a mixture of meat, onions, and spices.
• Falafel – a dish of fried fava beans served as balls in sandwiches with vegetables.
• Muhammar – a sweet rice dish made with dates or sugar, often served with fried fish.
• Qoozi/Ghoozi – a celebratory dish consisting of roasted lamb stuffed with rice, meat, and spices.
• Balaleet – a sweet and savoury dish made with vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, spices, and occasionally saffron, served with a side of fried eggs.
• Ma'amoul – small, filled pastries, often made during festive seasons with fillings such as dates, nuts, or figs. They are typically enjoyed with Arabic coffee.
• Halwa Showaiter – a traditional Bahraini dessert made from cornstarch, ghee, sugar, and various flavourings like saffron and rosewater.

Bahrain only produces a small amount of its food requirements due to limited land space and imports much of its food.

Language

Bahrain is an ethnically diverse country with a rich cultural history. The official language of the kingdom is Arabic, with several colloquial tongues also being spoken. English is widely spoken due to the extensive expatriate community and business environment. Most street signs and documentation include English, which is also a compulsory second language in the school system. However, laws require most signage to include an equal amount of Arabic at a minimum.

Arabic plays an important role in political life, as article 57 (c) of Bahrain's constitution states that an MP must be fluent in Arabic to stand for parliament. Bahrani Arabic is the most widely spoken dialect of the Arabic language, though it differs widely from standard Arabic, like all Arabic dialects.

Among the Bahraini and non-Bahraini population, many people speak Persian, the official language of Iran, or Urdu, an official language in Pakistan and a regional language in India. Nepali is also widely spoken in the Nepalese workers and Gurkha Soldiers community. Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla and Hindi are spoken among significant Indian communities.

Bahrain is also home to a small indigenous Jewish community, with thirty-seven Bahraini citizens. The Jewish community of Bahrain is one of the youngest in the world, with its origins in the migration of a few families to the island from then-Iraq and then-Iran in the late 1880s.

There is also a Hindu community on the island. They constitute the third-largest religious group. The Shrinathji temple, located in old Manama, is the oldest Hindu temple in the GCC and the Arab world. It is over 200 years old and was built by the Thattai Hindu community in 1817.

Bahrain's population is diverse, with a large number of expatriates. The country has a strong literary tradition, with most work produced in the classical Arabic style. Well-known contemporary poets who write in this style include Qasim Haddad, Ibrahim al'Urayyid, and Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifah. Many younger poets are more influenced by Western literature and write free verse, often with personal and political content.

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