> Traditions:
Jordan Daily life and social
customs:
Jordan is an integral part of the
Arab world and thus shares a cultural tradition common
to the region. The family is of central importance to
Jordanian life. Although their numbers have fallen as
many have settled and adopted urban culture, the rural
Bedouin population still follows a more traditional way
of life, preserving customs passed down for generations.
Village life revolves around the extended family,
agriculture, and hospitality; modernity exists only in
the form of a motorized vehicle for transportation.
Urban-dwelling Jordanians, on the other hand, enjoy all
aspects of modern, popular culture, from theatrical
productions and musical concerts to operas and ballet
performances. Most major towns have movie theatres that
offer both Arab and foreign films. Younger Jordanians
frequent Internet cafés in the capital, where espresso
is served at computer terminals.
The country's
cuisine features dishes using beans, olive oil, yogurt,
and garlic. Jordan's two most popular dishes are
msakhan, lamb or mutton and rice with a yogurt
sauce, and mansaf, chicken cooked with onions,
which are both served on holidays and on special family
occasions. Daily fare includes khubz (flatbread)
with vegetable dips, grilled meats, and stews, served
with sweet tea or coffee flavoured with cardamom.
Holidays that
are celebrated in the kingdom include the Prophet
Muhammad's birthday, the two 'ids (festivals; 'Id
al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha), and other major Islamic
festivals, along with secular events such as
Independence Day and the birthday of the late King
Hussein.
Id al-Fitr
(Arabic Festival of Breaking Fast) , also called al-'Id
al-Saghir , first of two canonical festivals of Islam.
'Id al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy
month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first
three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic
calendar (though the Muslim use of a lunar calendar
means that it may fall in any season of the year).
Eid al-Adha
(Arabic Festival of Sacrifice) , also called 'Id al-Qurban
or al-'Id al-Kabir (Major Festival) , the second of two
great Muslim festivals, the other being 'Id al-Fitr. 'Id
al-Adha marks the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage)
rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but is
celebrated by Muslims throughout the world. As with 'Id
al-Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of
communal prayer (salat) at daybreak on its first day. It
begins on the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijja.
Food &
Drink: The cuisine varies, although most restaurants
have a mixed menu which includes both Arabic and
European dishes. Dishes include meze (small starters
such as fool, humus, kube and tabouleh); a variety of
kebabs; Mahshi Waraq ’inab (vine leaves stuffed with
rice, minced meat and spices); musakhan (chicken in
olive oil and onion sauce roasted on Arab bread); and
the Jordanian speciality mensaf (stewed lamb in a yogurt
sauce served on a bed of rice), a dish which is normally
eaten with the hand. Sweets are very popular and
include: baklawa (pastry filled with nuts or honey);
knafa (pastry filled with nuts or goats cheese); ataif
(small fried pancakes filled with nuts or cheese and
traditionally eaten during Ramadan); and mohallabiya
(milk-based pudding perfumed with rose water or orange).
Drinking Arabic coffee is a ritual. Coffee tends to be
very strong and is served in small cups (with plenty of
coffee grounds at the bottom). Local beer, wine and
other types of alcohol are served in most restaurants
and bars, except during the fasting month of Ramadan
(non-Arabic nationals can drink alcohol only in hotels
during Ramadan).
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