Culture of Bahrain

The culture of Bahrain is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia. Because of this, Bahrain's culture shares many similarities with its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf region. Bahrain is also known for being very open and welcoming to people from many different backgrounds.

Bahraini citizens come from many different ethnic groups, making the country quite diverse. Even though the official religion of Bahrain is Islam, the country is friendly and respectful toward people of other faiths. You can find Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and there used to be a Jewish synagogue on the island as well. This mix of traditions helps make Bahrain a interesting place to learn about different ways of life.

People and heritage

Main article: Ethnic, cultural and religious groups of Bahrain

Bahraini people come from many different backgrounds. There are at least 8–9 ethnic groups among Bahraini citizens. Most Shia Bahrainis are from the Baharna group, who are descendants of the original people of Bahrain and speak a special type of Arabic called Bahrani Arabic. Another group is the Ajam, who are ethnic Persians and have their own culture and language.

Sunni Bahrainis include urban Arabs and Huwala. The urban Arabs were traditionally pearl divers, merchants, sailors, traders, and fishermen before oil was found. The Huwala are descendants of people from Iran. There are also smaller groups such as Afro-Arabs, Balochis, Indian merchants, and some descendants of Palestinian refugees.

About half of Bahrain’s people are Arab, and more than half of the population were born in other countries, mainly from Iran, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain, and the United States. Most people in Bahrain are Muslim, belonging to either the Sunni or Shia groups. Bahrain also has a larger Christian community than any other country in the Arab states of the Arabian Gulf. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used. Many people also understand Hindi and Urdu.

Football, also called soccer, is the most popular sport today. Traditional activities like horse riding and hunting gazelle and hare are still enjoyed by some wealthier families. Bahrain has traditional crafts that are supported by the government and people. The Bahrain National Museum in Manama shows old items like ivory figurines, pottery, copper objects, and gold rings that show the many cultures that have influenced Bahrain.

Traditional dresses

The traditional dress for Bahraini women is an abaya, a long black loose gown, worn with a black cloth on the head called the hijab.

Bahraini men traditionally wear a thobe and a special headdress. The thobe is a long, loose garment that comes down to the ankles. In summer, thobes are white and made of cotton; in winter, they are black and made of wool. The headdress includes a keffiyeh, a ghutra, and an agal. The ghutra is a square scarf worn over the keffiyeh, and the agal is a black cord that holds the ghutra in place. On special occasions, men may wear a bisht, a soft woolen cloak, over their thobe.

Gargee'an

Main article: Gargee'an

Gargee'an is a celebration that happens twice a year in Bahrain and other parts of Eastern Arabia. It occurs on the 15th night of the Islamic month of Sha'ban and again on the 15th night of Ramadan. During Gargee'an, children dress in traditional clothes and go from house to house collecting nuts and sweets from their neighbors while singing traditional songs. This tradition has been around for hundreds of years and is an important part of Gulf culture.

Although Gargee'an might seem similar to Halloween’s trick-or-treating in some Western countries, it is a completely different celebration with no links to horror or Halloween.

Media

Main article: Media of Bahrain

Bahrain has many newspapers published in Arabic, such as Akhbar Al Khaleej, Al Ayam, and Al Waqt. By 2011, Al-Wasat_ became very popular, with many readers every day. There are also a few newspapers in English, like Gulf Daily News and Daily Tribune. Most newspapers are owned by private people and can write freely, as long as they do not criticize the ruling family.

The country's television and radio stations mainly broadcast in Arabic, but they also have programs in English and Hindi. A new digital company called LocalBH is becoming popular, especially with tourists, people living in Bahrain, and young locals. It shares information about places to visit, fun activities, and what’s happening in Bahrain.

Arts, music and dance

Further information: Music of Bahrain, Bahraini art, Literature of Bahrain, Theatre in Bahrain, and Cinema of Bahrain

See also: Middle Eastern dance

In Bahrain, people love arts, music, and dance. They enjoy reading the holy book called the Quran, performing ceremonial dances with drums, and sharing stories. Bahraini poets are well-known for their beautiful verses, mixing old traditions with new ideas. When babies are born or couples get married, everyone celebrates together.

Bahrain has many musical traditions. One popular style is called Khaleeji, coming from the Persian Gulf area. It uses interesting rhythms and is influenced by African music. Fishermen in Bahrain have special songs called fidjeri, sung while diving for pearls. These songs include clapping, drums, and dances using water jars. Another type of music and dance is Liwa, mainly performed by communities with roots from East Africans, like in Muharraq and Hidd.

Music in Bahrain often uses instruments like the oud (an early version of the lute) and the rebab (a one-stringed instrument). There is also a folk dance called ardha, where men dance with swords while drummers play and a poet sings.

Bahrain has made a few movies. The first was a 1971 Disney film called Hamad and the Pirates, showing famous places like the Bab Al Bahrain and Mina Salman. Another movie came in 1990 called The Barrier, directed by Bassam Al-Thawadi. People have enjoyed watching films since the early 1920s.

Festivals and customs

Bahrain has many special festivals and customs that people celebrate. Some important ones include Ashura, Bahrain Independence Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the Prophet's birthday, and Ramadan. These events bring families and communities together to share traditions and joy.

National Cultural Heritage Sites

Places

Bahrain has many interesting museums to explore. You can learn about the country's history and culture by visiting places like Museums in Bahrain. These spots offer a glimpse into the rich traditions and stories of the people who live there.

Holidays

Bahrain changed its weekend in 2006 so that it shared one day with the rest of the world. The country now has weekends on Fridays and Saturdays instead of Thursdays and Fridays. There are several important holidays celebrated in Bahrain.