Amazing Arabic World: Fun Facts, Food, Music, and More

Food

Arabic food is one of the most flavorful cuisines of the world. With a heavy Mediterranean influence, olives, dry fruits like pine nuts, cashews, pistachios, and dates, cheese, and other milk products are a big part of many Arabic dishes.

Hummus is a popular side dish made of chickpeas eaten with pita bread called khubus. Baba Ghanush or Mutabbal is similar to hummus but has the added flavor of smoked eggplant. Falafels are fried chickpea dumplings that taste great with hummus. Chicken and lamb are the most popular meats. Shawarma, a pita wrap filled with grilled meat pieces, is a favorite snack. Kebabs and grilled chicken are often served with rice and tomato sauce. Flatbreads called fatayer are filled with ingredients like yogurt (lebna), oregano (zaatar), cheese (jiben), chicken (dijaj), or lamb (leham). A salad called tabbouleh, made with parsley and tomatoes, is also very common.

Sweet dishes are important in Arabic meals. Baklava is a pastry with layers of dry fruits and syrup. Kenafa is a fried pastry with cheese, and Umm Ali is a bread pudding. Arabs love tea (shaay) and coffee (kahwa), which are enjoyed throughout the day.

Clothing

Arab men usually wear a one-piece cotton garment called the dishdasha or thobe. They also wear a head cover called the ghutra or smagh, held in place with a black ring called the igal. On special occasions like weddings, a long coat called bisht is worn.

Arab women traditionally wear an abaya, a long black dress, with a headscarf called the hijab. Some also wear a face cover called the burqa or niqab. For weddings, many women choose western gowns. Bright colors and gold jewelry are also popular. Children often wear western clothes.

Festivals and Celebrations

Eid is the biggest holiday in Arabic culture. It is celebrated with food, sweets, gift-giving, and shopping.

Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims fast without food or water during the day. Shops and businesses stay closed in the daytime and open in the evening until late at night.

Famous Stories

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp is one of the best-known Arab folk tales. Aladdin finds a magic lamp with a genie inside who grants all his wishes. He becomes rich, marries a princess, and defeats a wicked wizard. This story is part of the Arabian Nights series.

Games

Mancala is one of the oldest board games and is popular among Arab families. It is played using marbles or beads and several pits. Players try to collect all marbles in their scoring pit and capture their opponent’s pieces.

Communication

Arabs greet each other with “Salaam Alikum.” Friends of the same gender often greet with a cheek-to-cheek kiss. Public displays of affection between men and women are rare. Greetings may vary depending on the country.

Family Values

Arab families often live together in one home. Families are usually large, and family members care deeply for one another. Arab people are known for being warm, religious, and welcoming to guests.

Fun Facts: Music and Dance

Belly dancing is a famous Arab dance. It involves moving the shoulders, belly, and hips. Special costumes with waist chains are worn for this dance, which requires flexibility and rhythm.

Famous Places

The Egyptian Pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Located in Giza, they are ancient tombs built for pharaohs.

Dubai is a modern Arab city known for tall buildings and luxury hotels like the Burj Al Arab. Many tourists visit Dubai for shopping and sightseeing.

Art and Handicrafts

Arab artisans create beautiful crafts like silk rugs, furniture, jewelry, and calligraphy wall art. Incense burners and tea or coffee pots are also common. Henna, a temporary tattoo applied to the hands, is used for decoration during celebrations.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re curious to learn Arabic in a fun and easy way, Dinolingo offers Arabic lessons for children ages 2 to 14. With games, songs, videos, flashcards, and printable materials, Dinolingo helps kids explore the Arabic language and culture step by step.

Share With Us

We’d love to hear what you know about Arabic culture! Leave us a comment below using simple language so even young children can understand.