Draft:Yemen's culture and traditions

Yemen's culture is a vibrant mix of ancient traditions and local practices. Located on the southwestern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is known for its historic cities like Sana'a and Shibam, traditional music and dance, and unique cuisine. Dishes such as mandi and saltah highlight the rich flavors of Yemeni food.

Yemen's culture and traditions
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Demonym(s)	Yemen
Area
• Total	527,968 km2 (203,850 sq mi) (52nd)
GDP (PPP)	2017 estimate
• Total	73.63 billion
HDI (2021/2022)	0.455 low

Historical Cites

Shibam Hadramaut

Shibam Hadramaut is a historic city in eastern Yemen, often called the “Manhattan of the Desert” because of its distinctive skyline. The city is famous for its tall mud brick tower houses, some reaching up to 16 stories. Visitors can also explore landmarks like the Al-Hajjarah Mosque, Al-Khadr Mosque, and the Shibam Museum.

Shibam Hadramaut

Socotra Island

Socotra Island is a remote island in the Arabian Sea, famous for its unique plants and animals. You can see the strange Dragon’s Blood Trees, hike through its beautiful and rugged terrain, and relax on its gorgeous, turquoise beaches.

The unique trees of Socotra Island

Temple of Awwam

The Temple of Awwam, also known as "Mahram Bilqis" or the "Sanctuary of the Queen of Sheba," is an ancient Sabaean temple dedicated to the chief god of the Sabaeans, Almaqah. It is located about 7 kilometers southeast of the ancient city of Marib in Yemen. This temple was built on the outskirts of the city, likely to ensure privacy for religious practices and to accommodate pilgrims from distant parts of Sabaean territory. Similar patterns are seen in other temples from Al-Jawf and Hadramawt.

Picture of the Temple of Awwam

The Old City of Sana'a

The Old City of Sana’a, in Yemen’s capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 6,000 historic buildings from medieval times. Visitors can explore its narrow, winding streets and see tall buildings made of mud and baked brick.

UNESCO uses 10 criteria to decide if a site can be called a World Heritage Site, and a site only needs to meet one of these to qualify. The Old City of Sana’a meets three criteria (fourth, fifth, and sixth) to earn this status. The city is known for its buildings made of clay, burnt brick, and stone, with roofs covered in a special plaster mix used since ancient times. These buildings are four to nine stories tall and are set among markets, neighborhoods, minarets, narrow streets, and green spaces. The Old City covers about 5.87 square kilometers and includes around 7,000 homes, 42 mosques, 40 markets, and 15 public baths.

Picture of the Old City of Sana'a at night

Cuisine

Yemeni cuisine blends Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Indian flavors to create a distinctive and tasty experience. It features aromatic spices like cardamom and cumin and slow-cooked meats. Traditional dishes include Mandi, which is slow-roasted meat with rice, and Saltah, a spicy stew. Street food is also popular in Yemen, with favorites like Ful Medames (a fava bean stew) and Sambusas (stuffed pastries) available everywhere.

Traditional dish called Mandi

Desserts

Basbousa is a popular Yemeni dessert made from a moist, spongy cake soaked in sweet syrup. It's enhanced with coconut, giving it a tropical flavor and a pleasant texture. This dessert is enjoyed with Yemeni coffee or as a sweet finish to a meal.

Basbousa

Fattah is another traditional Yemeni treat made by layering pieces of Yemeni bread, like Malooga, with creamy sweetened yogurt or custard, and then drizzling honey or date syrup on top.

Kunafa is a dessert made from layers of shredded phyllo dough and creamy cheese, topped with sweet syrup. Traditional Kunafa uses Nabulsi cheese, which is slightly salty and pairs well with the sweetness. Modern versions may include different cheeses or add-ins like pistachios or chocolate. Kunafa is often garnished with pistachios or powdered sugar when served on a plate, but it can also be wrapped for a convenient snack while exploring Yemen's streets.

Kunafa

Traditions

Music

In Yemeni music, the oud is a famous pear-shaped string instrument that creates deep, emotional melodies. The qanbus, a four-stringed instrument used by Yemeni Jewish musicians, brings a special sound to the music. The bendir, a traditional drum, is essential for keeping rhythm in many Yemeni musical groups. Yemeni poetry has greatly influenced the country’s music, with artists using traditional forms like the qasidah and the zajal as inspiration. These ancient poetic styles offer a framework for lyrics and help keep Yemen’s history alive through music.

The instrument called Oud

Dances

Yemen has many traditional dances that show its different cultures and regions. The Bara’a is a wedding dance, while the Saif dance involves sword moves and showcases skill. Men wear headscarves and flowing clothes, and the music has fast drumming and the oud.

The Sharh is a group dance where men and women wear traditional clothes like embroidered dresses for women and jackets for men. In mountainous areas, dances are energetic, and costumes are heavier with lots of embroidery. In coastal areas like Hadhramaut, dances are smoother, and costumes are lighter to fit the warm, humid climate.

Yemeni Bara'a

Clothes

Yemeni traditional clothing shows the country’s rich history and different influences. Men usually wear a thobe, which is a long robe decorated with detailed embroidery. Women wear colorful dresses with beautifully designed scarves. These clothes highlight the skill of Yemeni craftsmen and reflect cultural identity. Men also often carry jambiyas, which are curved daggers.

Girl dressed in traditional Yemeni clothe.