Arabs

Arabs are an ethnic group mainly living in the Arab world, which includes parts of West Asia and North Africa. They also have communities around the world. The term "Arab" originally described people from the Arabian Peninsula and the Syrian Desert, but today it refers to anyone who speaks Arabic as their first language and shares a common culture and history.

Arabs have a long history dating back thousands of years. They were important in ancient trade routes and established many early civilizations. Notable groups include the Nabataeans, who built the famous city of Petra, and many tribes mentioned in religious texts such as the Bible and Quran.

During the Middle Ages, the rise of Islam brought Arabs together into large empires that stretched from southern France to western China. These empires were known for advances in science, technology, and culture. Today, Arabs continue to influence the world in many areas, including art, music, literature, and medicine. Most Arabs are Muslims, but there are also Christian, Druze, and Baháʼí communities.

Etymology

Further information: Etymology of Arab

The word "Arab" first appeared in ancient records from the 9th century BCE. These records, called the Kurkh Monoliths, mention Bedouins from the Arabian Peninsula who fought against the Assyrian conquest of Aram.

Over time, the term "Arab" came to refer to many groups of people across West Asia and North Africa. Some stories say the name comes from a father named Ya'rub, while others suggest it means "westerners" or relates to life in the desert. The word has many possible meanings in ancient languages, showing how it evolved over thousands of years.

Origins

Further information: Pre-Islamic Arabia, Proto-Arabic language, and Old Arabic

See also: Generations of Noah, Ishmaelites, and Qahtanite

Arabic is part of the Afroasiatic language family, and most experts believe the Arabian Peninsula was the original home of the Semitic languages. These languages spread from there to other areas. Ancient Semitic-speaking people lived in places like the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Arabian Peninsula thousands of years ago.

According to traditions shared by Arabs, Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is considered the father of the Arab people. He is also seen as an ancestor of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The Quran tells the story of Ishmael and his father building the Kaaba in Mecca.

History

Main article: History of the Arabs

The history of the Arabs begins with their presence in the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions. Early references to Arabs appear in Assyrian records from around 853 BCE. Over time, Arabs spread across the Middle East and North Africa. They were mentioned in ancient texts by neighbors like the Assyrians and Babylonians.

Important ancient Arab groups included the Minaeans, Midianites, and the ‘Ad tribe. These groups were known for trading, and some, like the Sabaeans, built impressive dams and cities. Arab history also includes the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the spread of Islam, leading to large empires like the Rashidun, Umayyad, and Abbasid Caliphates. These empires advanced science, medicine, and culture, influencing the world for centuries.

Identity

Arab identity is different from religious identity and existed before the spread of Islam. Historically, there were Arab Christian kingdoms and Arab Jewish tribes. Today, most Arabs are Muslim, but some follow other religions such as Christianity, Druze, and Baháʼí.

Arab identity is influenced by ancestry, history, language, customs, and traditions. It has been shaped by the rise and fall of empires, colonization, and political changes. Even with these challenges, Arab communities take pride in their shared cultural heritage. Today, Arab identity continues to grow and change as these communities face new political, social, and economic situations. It remains a key part of the cultural and historical fabric of the Arab world and is celebrated worldwide by communities around the world.

Subgroups

Further information: Tribes of Arabia, Arab migrations to the Maghreb, and Arab migrations to the Levant

Arab tribes are found in many places, including the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt, the Maghreb, Sudan, and Horn of Africa. In the Levant, Arabs are traditionally divided into Qays and Yaman tribes. These groups have distinct tribal affiliations and geographic locations, and they include tribes such as Banu Kalb, Kinda, Ghassanids, and Lakhmids.

Some major Arab tribes include Bakr, Kinanah, Hawazin, Tamim, Azd, Ghatafan, Madhhaj, Abd al-Qays, Al Qays, and Quda'a. These tribes have spread across many regions, including Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Libya, Algeria, and parts of Iran.

Geographic distribution

Arab homeland

Further information: Demographics of the Arab world and List of Arab League countries by population

The number of Arabs living in Arab countries is about 366 million. When you include Arabs living outside these countries, the total is close to 384 million. The Arab world covers a huge area—about 13 million square kilometers—from the Atlantic Ocean in the west all the way to the Arabian Sea in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north down to the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean in the southeast.

Arab diaspora

Main article: Arab diaspora

Many Arabs have moved to live in places far from their homeland. These Arabs live in parts of East Africa, South America, Europe, North America, Australia, and some parts of South and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and West Africa. There are about 13 million first-generation Arab migrants worldwide. Many of these Arab immigrants send money back home, which helps support their families and their countries.

Europe

Millions of Arabs live in Europe, with large communities in France. Many Arabs in France come from the Maghreb region. There are also Arab communities in Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. Turkey has many Arab residents too, especially refugees.

Americas

Main articles: Arab immigration to the United States, Arab Americans, History of Middle Eastern people in Metro Detroit, Arab Canadians, Arab Brazilians, Arab Mexicans, Arab Chileans, Arab Colombians, Arab Uruguayans, Arab Venezuelans, Arab Cubans, Arab Haitians, Arab immigration to Honduras, Arab Argentines, Lebanese Paraguayans, and Arab Uruguayans

See also: Arab American Institute, Arab American National Museum, Arab American Action Network, and Arab American Book Award

Many Arabs have made their homes in the Americas. In the United States, about 2 million people have Arab roots. Most live in just ten states, with many in Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York City. In Canada, the city of Montreal has about 267,000 Arabs. Latin America has the largest Arab population outside the Arab world—with millions of people with Arab backgrounds in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, and Central America.

Caucasus

Long ago, Arab groups lived along the Caspian Sea in what is now Azerbaijan. Over time, many of these Arabs mixed with local people and adopted new languages.

Central, South, East and Southeast Asia

Some groups in Central Asia today see themselves as Arab, even if they now speak other languages. In India and Sri Lanka, there are communities that trace their roots back to Arab traders from many centuries ago. In Indonesia, there are about 118,866 people of Arab descent.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Many Arabs have moved to parts of West Africa, such as Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. There are also Arab communities in Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic.

Religion

Main articles: Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia, Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, Druze, Arab Jews, and Baháʼí Faith

Arabs are mostly Muslims, with a large group following Sunni Islam and a smaller group following Shia Islam. There are also many Arab Christians, primarily belonging to Eastern Churches such as the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches. Smaller groups include the Druze, Baháʼís, and historically, Arab Jews.

Before Islam, many Arabs practiced a pagan religion with several gods. Some tribes had already converted to Christianity or Judaism. With the rise of Islam, most Arabs adopted the new faith, and ancient pagan traditions faded away. Today, Islam remains the dominant religion among Arabs, though Christian communities continue to exist in many regions.

Culture

Main article: Arab culture

Arab culture is shaped by a long and rich history spanning thousands of years. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean in the southeast. Various religions and empires have influenced the development of Arab culture. Key parts of this culture include language, literature, gastronomy, art, architecture, music, spirituality, philosophy, and mysticism.

Language

Main article: Arabic

Arabic is a Semitic language from the Afro-Asiatic family. Evidence of the language dates back to 853 BCE. Today, it is widely used by over 500 million people as a common language, or lingua franca. It is also a religious language for 1.7 billion Muslims. Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and holds a special place in Islam as the language of the Quran.

Arabic has two main forms. Classical Arabic was used in ancient literature from the 7th to 9th centuries. Modern Standard Arabic is used today in writing and formal speaking. There are also many regional dialects that differ from each other and from the formal versions of the language.

Mythology

Main article: Arabian mythology

Arabic mythology includes ancient beliefs and stories. Before Islam, many Arabs worshipped various gods, spirits, and creatures. One important part of this mythology is the Jinn, supernatural beings that can be good or evil. They are physical, not just spiritual, and can interact with people and objects.

Other mythical creatures include Ghouls, which are often linked to graveyards and are said to eat human flesh. These stories reflect the rich imagination and traditions of Arab culture before Islam.

Literature

Main article: Arabic literature

The Quran, Islam's holy book, greatly influenced Arabic literature. It was written in the dialect of the Quraysh, the tribe of Muhammad. As Islam spread, the Quran helped standardize the Arabic language.

Arabic literature began with poetry and later included prose. Famous works include Kitab al-Aghani, a collection of songs and stories. Over time, new forms like the maqama emerged, blending poetry and prose. In the 19th century, Arabic literature saw a revival with new ideas and translations from other cultures.

Cuisine

Main article: Arab cuisine

Arab cuisine varies by region but often includes herbs and spices like cumin, coriander, and za'atar. Popular dishes include Knafeh, Baklava, and Halva. Arabic coffee is a traditional drink often served with dates.

Art

Main articles: Arabic art, Nabataean art, Arabic miniature, and Arabesque

Arabic art includes many forms such as jewelry, textiles, and architecture. Arabic script is often decorated with beautiful calligraphy. Miniatures, small paintings usually found in books, were popular from around 1000 to 1200 CE.

Arabesque is a style of decoration with scrolling patterns and foliage. It is often used in art and architecture to create beautiful, repeating designs.

Architecture

Further information: Nabataean architecture and Islamic architecture

The Arab world has many important historical buildings. One famous example is Petra in Jordan, a city carved from rose-colored sandstone. Other notable structures include the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Alhambra in Spain.

These buildings show a mix of influences, including Byzantine, Roman, and Persian styles. They often feature beautiful arches, columns, and detailed designs.

Music

Main article: Arabic music

Arabic music has a long history and has influenced many other musical traditions. Early Arab music was used in poetry and storytelling. Over time, it developed into many different styles.

Instruments like the Oud (a string instrument) and naqareh (a type of drum) have been important in Arab music. In the 20th century, Arabic music began to mix with Western styles, creating new forms like Arabic pop.

Spirituality

Arab polytheism was common in ancient Arabia before the rise of Islam. People worshipped many gods and goddesses at places like the Kaaba in Mecca. These beliefs included both nomadic traditions and more complex city-based religions.

With the spread of Islam, these older beliefs changed, but some traditions and ideas still influence Arab culture today.

Philosophy

Main article: Islamic philosophy

Arab philosophy has deep roots in Islamic thought. Early Arab thinkers like al-Kindi helped shape both Islamic and Western philosophy. They combined ideas from Aristotle and Plato with Islamic beliefs.

Important topics in Arab philosophy include the nature of God, the soul, and knowledge. These ideas were later translated into Hebrew and Latin, influencing European thought during the Middle Ages.

Science

Main article: Science in the medieval Islamic world

See also: Islamic world contributions to Medieval Europe

During the Middle Ages, Arab scholars made many important discoveries in science. They advanced fields like mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Centers of learning in cities like Baghdad and Córdoba became hubs for scientific research.

Arab scientists developed new ways to understand the world, from creating better medical tools to improving astronomy. Their work laid the groundwork for many modern scientific fields and influenced learning in Europe.

Theatre

Main article: Experimental theatre in the Arab world

Arab theatre has a long history, with roots in ancient poetry and storytelling. Over time, it evolved into more formal performances. During the Islamic Golden Age, cities like Baghdad became important centers for theatre.

Arab plays often use humor to talk about social and political issues. Today, Arab theatre continues to grow, with new styles and ideas being explored by artists across the Arab world.

Fashion

Main article: Arab Fashion Council

Arab fashion is known for its luxurious fabrics and detailed designs. Traditional clothes like the Abaya and Thobe are made from fine materials such as silk and often feature beautiful embroidery.

In recent years, Arab designers have gained attention worldwide. They often mix traditional patterns and styles with modern fashion, creating unique and beautiful collections.

Wedding and marriage

Main article: Arab wedding

Arabi weddings have many traditions, with different regions having their own special customs. These celebrations often include special clothes, music, dancing, and ceremonies.

In many Arab countries, it is common for cousins to marry. This practice is supported within Islam and has been part of Arab culture for a long time, though views on it can vary.

Genetics

See also: Genetic studies on Arabs and Genetic history of the Middle East

Arabs have a rich mix of genetic backgrounds, shaped by historical movements and settlements in the Middle East and North Africa. Studies show that groups like Saudi Arabians and Yemenis have strong ties to ancient peoples who lived in the region long ago. Their ancestry includes links to early groups from Out of Africa migrations, as well as connections to Europeans and other nearby areas.

Research also reveals that some Arabs share genetic ties with Jews and other groups in the region. Over time, different migrations, such as those during the Bronze Age, added to the diverse genetic makeup of Arab populations today.