Dubai+Research+Information

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Folk dances and music form integral part of the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. The traditional dances of the region have been one of the most popular cultural expressions for both men and women, and are integral to any celebration like festivals, weddings, national holidays, and even casual gatherings of friends. Drums are an integral part of folk music in Dubai. Everyone attending a festive occasion is supposed to join the line or circle of swaying dancers, and dance to the accompaniment of tambourines. While young girls dance by swinging their black tresses and swaying their bodies to the strong beat of the music, men re-enact battles fought or successful hunting expeditions. Among most popular folk dances in Dubai include **Ayyalah**, which represent a battle signifying the defeat of enemy and celebration of victory. Ayyalah is usually performed in groups with up to 200 men, organized in formation facing each other, and taking turns reciting poetry and brandishing swords on the beats of traditional drums and tambourines. **Harbiya** is another popular dance in the Emirates. Like Lyala, Harbiya is also performed by two lines of men confronting each other, but the recitation is based on the repetition of unaccompanied melodic phrases. Weddings are the most popular occasions for traditional dancing in Dubai. Other popular traditional dances in Dubai include the **Liwa**, generally performed to a rapid tempo and loud drumbeat. This is also based on the theme of a war song whose purpose was to raise the morale of the fighting men. **Haban** (also known as the Khamiri, or the Khayali) is another major folk dance in Dubai. Another popular traditional dance performed by tribes in Dubai is the **Mated**, based on Sufi traditions) to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. It's different from other traditional dances because of its relation to a religious occasion. Dubai is home to several modern museums, art galleries and arts and crafts center. The government has established the Dubai Arts Centre in Jumeriah to promote the traditional arts and crafts of the region. It was founded in 1976 by a small group of artists and since then has grown into a mammoth cultural organization in the Emirates with more than 1,200 members from over 60 different nationalities. The Dubai International Art Centre exhibits contemporary art and craft made by its members and international artists. It also offers classes in art for children and adult and exhibits. Visitors can get a glimpse of art of printing, pottery and sculpture making, needlework and lace-making, calligraphy, drawing and painting, as well as traditional and digital photography to name a few. The Dubai Art Centre will incorporate the Community Theatre and combined it will be known as "Dubai Community Arts Centre" and then it will include not just the visual arts, but all the literary and performing arts. Among popular crafts in Dubai include the traditional abras or boats, potteries, jewelry, woven bags, shawls and rugs etc. Popular art galleries in Dubai include the Majlis Gallery, exhibiting art of local and international artists and Al Abbar Art Gallery showcasing wide selections of local and foreign arts. Other major art galleries in Dubai are Abrash Gallery, Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Artworks Gallery, Art House Dubai, Bagash Art Gallery, Burjuman Art Gallery, Basta Art Café, Creative Art Centre to name a few.
 * Culture - Arts, Music, Society - Elise**
 * ARTS AND CRAFTS**

Men in Dubai have a distinct form of dress, they wear an ankle-length shirt called the dishdasha, usually white (or colored or striped in winter), a white, or sometimes red-chequered, headcloth called a ghutra and the twisted, black rope piece (agal), holding the ghutra in place. Men of distinction and the Sheikhs also wear on top of their dishdasha a flowing cloak (abba or bisht) edged with gold braid. The women of Dubai are very particular about their dress, they generally cover themselves from head to feet with a black cloak called the ahaya'.
 * SOCIETY**

Dubai is a city that is forever growing and changing. This video shows some of the projects that are proposed for Dubai for 2009, and also projects that are already under-way: media type="youtube" key="m-X3jpgQJG8"

Trade, not oil, is the lifeblood of Dubai society. It has been described as "the Middle East meets Hong Kong, with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style; a cosmopolitan melting pot at the crossroads of time - and the quintessential home of sand, sea, sun and shopping".

DUBAI CULTURE (language,tradition and customs)- Nikolina The national religion of Dubai is Islam. Therefore, most of the Dubai culture has been derived from the Islam. The city of Dubai is quite tolerant. People from different cultures have found place in Dubai. However, being exposed to cross culture has not resulted in the loss of Dubai culture and heritage. Whether it is in terms food and clothes or festivals and art, you will find the rich culture has been retained. The people in Dubai have big families and young people generally have arranged marriages. In Dubai a great deal of respect is given to the women. They have now begun participating in the corporate world as well.

Langauge: The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and ranks alongside Arabic as the language of commerce.

Traditions: - The camel is very traditional to the people of Dubai. The camel was not just useful for transporting possessions and goods on long treks accross inhospitable terrain, it also provided food, clothing, household items and recreation. In many cases camel milk and the products derived from it were the only protein available to Bedu families for months. - Date Palm trees are also a tradition to Dubai. Palm fronds were used to build the walls and roofs to "arish"houses and as roof matting for more strudy coral- block constructions. Also the boats, canoe- like were made from the midrib of the palm frond. - Fishing depended on hunters ability to dive in and grapple physicale with his prey. For larger fish like tuna or shark, heavier tangle nets were used. - Pearling has been an important economic activity in the region for a very long time. The conditions on boat were very tough and men spent a lot of time there,but they earned money for their families. All were badly affected by the collapse of the pearl markets in the 1940's. -Horses are also very traditional to Arabians. Arabian horses are noted for its ability to endure harrdship and to be ridden over long distances. Customs: - There are no business hours set in UAE. Companise will either choose to work straight which is from 08hrs and 17hrs, or shift which is anytime between 08hrs and 13hrs. - Long skirts or pans, T-shirts or shirts with sleeves covering at least the upper arm should be worn in Dubai. -Dress code is less formal for children, although adolescent girls would be advised to dress mderately in order to avoid attention. - Men should not shake woman's hand -Do not take picture of Arabic women, they can get upset -Many ladies especially the older generation think the abaya( the black dress) gives them the special right and will happily step on the road, believing the traffic will stop for her. - It is considered very rude to point the soles of your feet towards anyone in the Muslim religion and Arabic culture.

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