Culture

The City of Shibam	Culture
Location & Environment History - Facts & Figures Places of Interest Arts & Crafts Culture Maps	The Hadhramawt was a crossing road for the caravans passing through south Arabia from time immemorial. Furthermore, many native Hadhramis migrated to east Africa and South-East Asia to make their fortunes. It is therefore not surprising to see a cross of many cultural elements in the region and to observe the effects of the intercultural exchanges that took place throughout history. Though the area is deeply religious and conservative, it has a tolerant attitude towards other people and the Hadhramis have a broad cultural horizon. In Shibam the community is closely knit. Despite remnant traces of the old cast system, the people of Shibam feel a keen solidarity among each other. Islam is not only practiced through close observance of prayers and cults, but it mandates a social solidarity system. Rich and poor share the same customs, and a sense of belonging to their city and pride in its traditions. The Worlds of women and men are almost entirely separate in the public sphere. However, most Shibamis enjoy a very rich family life with extended families living still together in the old family house and sharing meals and daily experiences. In a typical Shibami house, the ground floor is designated for storage; and the first floor up is for the animals of the house. The second floor up is the main reception space for men. The women's space is on the next floor up. This is the floor where the kitchen is located. But also on this floor is the main family room, and the passageway connecting the house with its neighbor's fourth level; therefore, the women can visit each other without having to go on the street. Sleeping quarters occur on the next floors. The roof terraces are used heavily in the summer for sleeping. A strict code exists to prevent neighbors from looking into each other's roof terraces and balconies. Public cultural practices can be witnessed on special occasions, weddings, funerals, religious feasts, evening poetry sessions, national holidays, and nowadays with soccer games and political gatherings. The Shibamis are very keen on preserving their cultural practices in a natural manner. These practices are therefore for the most part not directly available for the participation of outside visitors.

The Hadhramawt was a crossing road for the caravans passing through south Arabia from time immemorial. Furthermore, many native Hadhramis migrated to east Africa and South-East Asia to make their fortunes. It is therefore not surprising to see a cross of many cultural elements in the region and to observe the effects of the intercultural exchanges that took place throughout history. Though the area is deeply religious and conservative, it has a tolerant attitude towards other people and the Hadhramis have a broad cultural horizon.

In Shibam the community is closely knit. Despite remnant traces of the old cast system, the people of Shibam feel a keen solidarity among each other. Islam is not only practiced through close observance of prayers and cults, but it mandates a social solidarity system. Rich and poor share the same customs, and a sense of belonging to their city and pride in its traditions.

The Worlds of women and men are almost entirely separate in the public sphere. However, most Shibamis enjoy a very rich family life with extended families living still together in the old family house and sharing meals and daily experiences. In a typical Shibami house, the ground floor is designated for storage; and the first floor up is for the animals of the house. The second floor up is the main reception space for men. The women's space is on the next floor up. This is the floor where the kitchen is located. But also on this floor is the main family room, and the passageway connecting the house with its neighbor's fourth level; therefore, the women can visit each other without having to go on the street. Sleeping quarters occur on the next floors. The roof terraces are used heavily in the summer for sleeping. A strict code exists to prevent neighbors from looking into each other's roof terraces and balconies.

Public cultural practices can be witnessed on special occasions, weddings, funerals, religious feasts, evening poetry sessions, national holidays, and nowadays with soccer games and political gatherings. The Shibamis are very keen on preserving their cultural practices in a natural manner. These practices are therefore for the most part not directly available for the participation of outside visitors.

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