Bahrain's Rich Cultural Heritage And Traditions Explored

The culture of Bahrain is heavily influenced by its history and location. As an island nation in the Persian Gulf, it has historically been more open to outside influences than its neighbours, resulting in a diverse and cosmopolitan society. Bahrain's culture is largely based on Arabic culture and Islam, with influences from India, Persia and Africa also present. While Bahrainis are known for their hospitality and tolerance, the country has also experienced internal and external tensions, including between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.

Language and Religion

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, near the Arabian Peninsula, with a population of around 1.7 million people. It is a constitutional hereditary monarchy with Islam as the state religion, and Arabic as the official language.

Bahrain is known for its cosmopolitanism and is one of the most ethnically diverse societies in the world. The population is made up of at least 8-9 different ethnic groups, with around half being Arabs. Foreign-born inhabitants make up more than half of the population, with large numbers of Indian and Persian residents. The country is tolerant of other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a now-defunct Jewish synagogue present on the island.

Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English is widely spoken and used in business and education. The Bahrani Arabic dialect is spoken by the ethnic Baharna, who are descendants of the original pre-Islamic inhabitants of Bahrain. The Ajam, who are ethnic Persian Shias, maintain a distinct language and culture and have greatly influenced traditional Bahraini culture. Farsi and Urdu are also spoken by large numbers of Indian and Persian residents.

Bahrain's population is mostly Muslim, with around 70% being Shia and 30% Sunni. Muslims believe in the equality of all people before Allah. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries, bringing a message for all of mankind. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet are the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day and fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Friday is the Muslim holy day, and everything is closed. During Ramadan, all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Expatriates are not required to fast, but they must not eat, drink, or smoke in public during this time.

Bahrain's language and religious practices reflect its diverse and cosmopolitan nature, with influences from its neighbouring countries and its large foreign-born population. While Islam and Arabic are predominant, the country is relatively tolerant of other religions and languages, contributing to its rich cultural landscape.

Food and Drink

Bahrain's cuisine is a blend of flavours influenced by the country's history, geography, and cultural diversity. Arabic coffee (qahwah) is the national beverage, and tea is commonly drunk for hospitality. Bahrain's food and drink culture is heavily influenced by its surrounding countries and regions, including Arabia, Persia, India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. As Bahrain was an important seaport and trading junction in ancient times, much of its cuisine is a mixture of Arabic, Persian, Indian, Balochi, African, Far East, and European food.

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".

Another well-known dish is muhammar, a sweet rice dish made with dates or sugar, always served with fried fish.

Bahrainis also eat other Arabian food such as falafel (fried fava beans served as balls in sandwiches with vegetables) and shawarma (lamb or chicken carved from a rotating spit and wrapped in pita bread).

Other traditional dishes and snacks include:

• Harees: a savoury porridge made from wheat and meat (usually chicken or lamb)
• Jireesh: crushed wheat cooked with chicken or lamb, seasoned with spices, and topped with ghee
• Samboosa: a deep-fried pastry filled with meat, onions, and spices
• Ghreybah: a traditional Bahraini shortbread cookie with nuts on top
• Balaleet: sweet saffron noodles served with a savoury omelette on top
• Halwa: a traditional sweet, sticky dessert filled with spices and nuts
• Sambousas: pastries filled with meat and cheese or sugar and nuts

Bahrain's most popular beverages include:

• Qahwah (Arabic coffee): the national beverage
• Tea: drunk for hospitality
• Laban: a kind of salty buttermilk
• Yogurt drinks
• Sharbat: sweet drinks such as rose sharbat or rose with milk
• Qamar al-Din (apricot juice)
• Jellab (a drink made with grape molasses and rose water)

Art and Literature

Art

Bahrain's art scene showcases a diverse range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, pottery, handicrafts, photography, and calligraphy. The country's architecture is also noteworthy, featuring geometric designs and arches that are characteristic of Islam-inspired structures. Additionally, natural cooling techniques are incorporated into building designs to combat the intense summer heat. The Bahrain World Trade Center, for example, is strategically designed to harness wind energy, with its iconic twin towers resembling a sailboat.

Bahrain has a rich history of crafts such as pottery, sculptures, and metal embroideries. Pottery, in particular, has a long tradition in the country, dating back to the Dilmun civilisation in the fifth and fourth millennium BC. Even today, villages like ʿĀlī are renowned for their ceramics, while artists in Karbābād weave baskets from date-palm leaves.

The Bahrain National Museum in Manama showcases local artifacts, including ivory figurines, pottery, copper articles, and gold rings, reflecting the country's cultural influences. The museum also hosts a permanent contemporary art exhibition. Other notable art galleries in Bahrain include the Albareh Art Gallery, Al Riwaq Gallery, Ella Art Gallery, and the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art.

Literature

Bahrain's literature is deeply rooted in the classical Arabic style, with poetry being the predominant form. Traditional writers and poets, such as Ali al-Sharqawi, Qassim Haddad, Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh, and Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifa, continue to write in this classical style. However, in recent years, there has been a growing number of younger poets influenced by Western literature, experimenting with free verse and prose poetry. These poets often incorporate political and personal themes into their work.

While most literary works are published in Arabic, there has been a shift towards English-language literature. Ali Al-Saeed, a former Bahraini journalist, became the first author to publish a novel directly in English with his supernatural thriller, "QuixotiQ". Hamda Khamis is recognised as the first female Bahraini poet, publishing her first collection in 1969. Other prominent female writers from the 20th century include Iman Asiri, Fatima al-Taytun, Fathiya 'Ajlan, and Fawziyya al-Sindi.

Bahrain has also been featured in notable works of literature, including James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" and Lucy Caldwell's award-winning novel, "The Meeting Point".

Music and Dance

Bahrain's music and dance are influenced by the country's diverse cultural and ethnic makeup, with traditions from Africa, India, and the Persian Gulf region. The country's music and dance traditions are also shaped by its historical pearl diving industry and its role in maritime trade.

Traditional Music and Dance

The music of Bahrain is an eclectic blend of influences from the Gulf region, East Africa, and Southern Asia. Traditional musical instruments include the oud, a short-necked string instrument with a pear-shaped body; the daf, a large circular frame drum; the nay, a single-reed woodwind instrument; and the rebaba, a two-stringed bowed instrument. The Fjiri, a ceremonial flute performance, is often played at weddings and other celebratory occasions. The Khaleeji Majlis, a traditional gathering place, serves as a platform for musical performances, bringing together musicians, poets, and storytellers.

Bahrain is known for its sawt music, a bluesy genre influenced by African, Indian, and Persian music. The Bahraini style of sawt became the predominant style in the Persian Gulf region. Another important musical tradition is fidjeri (or fjiri), which is associated with the country's male-only pearl diving tradition. Liwa is a type of music and dance with roots in African music and performed mainly in communities with descendants from the African Great Lakes region.

The ardha is a traditional men's sword dance accompanied by drummers and a poet. It is often performed with strong nationalistic overtones.

Modern Music and Dance

Bahrain was the site of the first recording studio in the Persian Gulf region, established after World War II. Today, the country has several modern music institutions, including the Bahrain Music Institute, the Bahrain Orchestra, and the Classical Institute of Music.

While traditional music remains important, Bahrain's musicians have also embraced fusion and modern adaptations. Contemporary artists blend traditional melodies with elements of jazz, rock, and electronic music. There is also a heavy metal and hard rock community, with bands writing and performing original songs. A small but active electronic dance music scene includes producers/DJs creating techno, house, and trance music.

Sports and Leisure

Bahrain is a small island country in the Persian Gulf with a rich cultural heritage and modern attractions. Football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport in the country, with a passionate fan culture that brings people together and fosters a sense of unity and pride. Bahrain has its own top-tier domestic professional football league, the Bahraini Premier League, which was first established in 1952. The country's national soccer team played their first international match against Kuwait in 1966.

Other traditionally popular sports in Bahrain include basketball, volleyball, and handball. Sports such as horse racing, mixed martial arts, cricket, and rugby union have also gained popularity in recent decades. Motorsport is another well-loved sport in Bahrain, with the country hosting the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004—the first in an Arab country. This event takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit, a Formula One race track.

Bahrain has a variety of natural landscapes, including beaches, deserts, and islands, which offer endless opportunities for outdoor leisure activities. Sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking are popular, with destinations such as the Amwaj Islands and Bahrain Bay attracting enthusiasts.

Bahrainis are known for their friendly and welcoming nature, and socializing is often centred around dining out and drinking. The country boasts a rich culinary heritage with a diverse range of regional specialties and traditional dishes. Bahraini cuisine typically features fish, shrimp, meat, rice, and dates. Machbous, a dish of fish or meat served with rice, is a local favourite. Bahrain also has a thriving cafe culture, with traditional cafes and modern coffee shops providing popular meeting places.

For those interested in the arts, Bahrain offers a range of cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic landmarks. The Bahrain National Museum in Manama is a must-visit for history buffs, showcasing local artifacts dating from antiquity. The Al Riwaq Art Space in Adliya is a renowned contemporary art gallery that exhibits works by local and international artists.

Bahrain also hosts vibrant festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Bahrain International Music Festival and the biannual Bahrain International Airshow. The country's diverse communities have also established various social clubs and societies, catering to a range of interests and providing opportunities for connection and social engagement.

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