protocols in Iraq

cultural identities - Iraq

What are typical foods served in the culture?

The most common meats are lamb, goat, sheep, cows, chickens, fish. The meat is usually cut into strips, then cooked with onions and garlic, or minced for stew and served with rice. For the majority of Iraqis who practice the Muslim religion (95 percent of Iraqis), eating pork is forbidden. Meats are marinated with garlic, lemon and spices, then grilled over charcoal.

Some of the most popular are: Kabab (grilled skewered chunks of lamb or chicken,) Quzi (grilled whole lamb stuffed with rice, almonds, raisins and spices,) Kubbah(minced meat ground with burghul or rice and spices,) Masgouf an open cut whole fish, spiced with salt, pepper and tamarind, then placed on wooden sticks and barbecued in front of a large flame. Most meals are accompanied by samoons (flat bread) which is also served for snacks with a variety of appetizers, cheeses, olives, and jams. Fruits and vegetablesare usually on the daily menu, especially the renowned Iraqi dates for which the country is famous. They are sweet and very delicious and they are served, accompanied by coffee, at the end of almost every meal. Vegetables are the mainstay of all of their meals. Many meals are vegetarian except for the meat broth they use to cook the vegetables in. Lentils and grains are also very popular in their dishes. Chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, onions, spinach, eggplant, olives, bulgar, rich, wheat, walnuts, almonds, honey, cheese, and yogurt are eaten often. Alcohol is also forbidden to Muslims, so soft drinks, ice water, tea, and coffee are drunk. Coffee and tea are served before and after, but never during, a meal. Iraqis usually drink their coffee with sugar and cream or milk. Iraq main meal is lunch, which is normally eaten around 2 in the afternoon.

Are there any typical styles of dress?

The traditional dress of Arab Iraqi men includes the dishdasha,an ankle-length, typically white, loose-fitting, shirtlike garment allowing free air circulation over the body; the aba, a long cloak, tan or neutral in color, for cool weather; the kaffiyeh, a white or checked square scarf folded into a triangle and sometimes worn over a small white cap with the agal, a circular black rope or plaited-cord device to hold the kaffiyeh in place; and sandals.

The Arab Iraqi woman's traditional costume is designed to conceal the woman and achieves this through hijab,or veiling, the practice of covering the woman's hair and body for the sake of modesty and adherence to socioreligious requirements. Veiling is believed to prevent men from falling into temptation and to protect women from unwanted sexual advances. The traditional costume includes the abayah, a long black cloak worn over a dress and covering the wearer from head to foot; the asha, a black head scarf; the foota, a black chin scarf; sandals or clogs; and gold or silver jewelry (for example, ankle bracelets, earrings, or pendants, valued not only as ornament but as insurance in case a woman's husband dies, leaves, or divorces her).

Recognized Behaviors

How do people greet one another?

Men greeting Men – A handshake and kisses on each cheek is common in most situations.

Women greeting Women – A handshake and kisses on each cheek is common in most situations.

Greetings between Men & Women – Usually a handshake is acceptable, but a nod can replace that among conservative Muslims. It’s best to wait for the woman to initiate if it all.

How a holiday is celebrated.

Ramadan the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which one fasts from sunrise to sunset, not only from food, drink and sexual relations, but also from impure thoughts and harsh actions.

Muslim holidays include ’Aid al-Fitr, a three-day feast held to celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and ’Aid al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast), which remembers Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son at Allah’s behest. Because Allah allowed Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead as a reward for his obedience, many families sacrifice an animal in the name of this grace.

How would a visitor be welcomed to someone’s home?

Iraq is famous for its great hospitality. It is a natural trait of its people. The sacredness of guests stems from tradition. In the desert food and a bed would be offered to those who asked, without asking who he was, where he came from, where he was going, for three days. The host also had to defend and his guest always, no matter what he had done.

What are the norms around weddings?

Every wedding starts with the engagement , the guy see a girl , then if they like each other, he asks for her hand (in other words to get marry) , she might be a relative , neighbor , cousin , they might be work mates, or students in the same collage etc . First he goes with his parents to hers, and tells them his desire to ask their daughter to get marry, (if the girl's father is dead, he should go to her eldest uncle) Iraqi Wedding .

Explicit Beliefs

How are gender roles perceived?

Gender issues tend to vary from one city to another due to different traditions and the level of adherence to tribal/Islamic traditions. In urban areas in general, women can be anything; teachers, lawyers, doctors, athletes, artists or even security guards (singing, dancing, acting and sports are a little less acceptable). One unacceptable role is to have a woman drive a taxi/bus. Women smoking publicly is frowned upon and there is no drinking for women in public. It is a bit less strict for foreign women.

How do people view obligations toward one another?

Family is the fundamental social unit and regulates an individual’s political,

religious and economical activities and determines all rights and obligations.

What are the cultural attitudes toward aging and the elderly?

Very simply, you should show respect for the elderly.

Deeply Embedded Beliefs

How important is the individual in the culture? How important is the group?

In Iraq, the family is the basis of the social structure providing a social network and assistance in times of need. This fundamental social unit regulates an individual’s political, religious and economical activities and determines all rights and obligations. Iraqis observe a mutually protective attitude among relatives and a sense of responsibility towards the extended family. Family loyalty remains at the heart of the Iraqi culture, taking priority over other social relationships. For this reason, relatives tend to be preferred as business partners since employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. A fundamental aspect of Iraqi culture lies in an individual’s formation of identity. Iraqis exercise a clear division between the public and private areas of their life, creating two distinct personas and modes of behaviour. The inner and outer circles of society define behaviour, with the family or tribe as the inner circle shaping a person’s social and business network and the outer offering accepted rules for public conduct.