E-book-converted

Customs
& Values

e book

International Day
2019-2020

customs & values page 01

Introduction

what is thebook
about?

GEMS Founders School Al Barsha, is
proud to have approximate 110
nationality students reflecting one of
the most diverse community school in
Dubai.
International day is one of the most
awaited and one of the biggest event in
the school culminating a learning
experience of “Travel around the
world”.We celebrate the rich diversity of
the school by showcasing the
culture and traditions of
participating countries. In the form
of colorful costumes , sampling of
delicious cuisines and dynamic music .

This e book is the useful gateway for our
children to get familiar with the customs
and values of participating countries in
the International Day 2019-2020

page 02 EGYPT

➢ Sham El-Nessim is the day marking the beginning of spring.
Egyptians celebrates this day going outdoors eating salty fish, color&
decorate eggs is variuos patterns, a traditional activity that goes back to
the ancient Egyptians, with eggs being symbolic of new lives and new
beginnings

➢ Ramadan in Egypt has a different flavour, one of such interesting
traditions, especially is the “Mesaharaty” who takes upon him the task of
walking around the village or city, waking people for suhur, the light meal
people take before they begin fasting.

➢ Prophet Mohammad Birthday (Al Mawlid Al Nabawi) features high on
Egypt’s calendar celebrating the event with special sweets rich in nuts, a
colorful dressed dolls for girls and a horse for boys made out of sugar.
Egyptians also celebrate the event by religious gatherings where verses
from the Holy Quran and hymns praising him are recited.

➢In an Egyptian marriage, the groom has to gift a gold jewelry to the
girl and this tradition is called (Shabka).

➢The Sebou (meaning the seventh) is one of Egypt's oldest and most
cherished celebrations to welcome a new born in Egypt. The mother and
women of the family prepare a feast for the guests and the baby is placed
in a decorated container where he or she is taken for a tour in the family
home, followed by members of the family carrying candles.

page 03 GEORGIA

➢ You are about to discover a country of diverse culture, rich history and
unique artifacts. Georgia is home to the first human outside of Africa who
settled down here about 2 million years ago. Georgia is an ancient country at
the crossroads of the Eastern and Western civilizations, where the European
and Asian way of life and traditions merge for thousands of years.
➢ Tbilisi is a capital of Georgia founded in the fifth century.
➢ Here we have everything that the traveler can only dream about: mountains
of eternal snow, mountain lakes, alpine meadows, canyon rivers full of flowers
and fruit, palm coasts, natural canyons, ancient caves, mineral waters and sulfur
water pools – thus this place is indeed a heaven on Earth!
➢ Population of the country with total area of 69 700 square kilometers is 3
720 000 people. on this small land there are 26060 rivers and over 40 protected
areas. That is why the vast part of the country is occupied by untouched nature.
Interesting facts:
1. Unique alphabet – one of 14 independent alphabets in the world.
2. The first human civilization outside of Africa has been discovered in Georgia
(the remains of that settlement are 1, 75 million years old)
3. As one of the first countries in the world to convert to Christianity in just
the 4th century AD today Georgia is distinguished for full religious freedom
and tolerance.
4. Tushetian village Bochorna and SvanetianUshguli are Europe’s highest
permanently inhabited settlements
5. Three cultural monuments which are included into UNESCO’s World
Heritage List.
6. Winemaking has been practiced in Georgia for over 8,000 years

page 04 GREECE

➢ Greece has more than 50 traditional dance styles such us
Kalamatiano, Tsamiko and Balos etc

➢ From North to South and from the mountains to islands there
are many local traditional clothing, customs and dialects. Greece
has more than 1.500 islands from which more than 150 are
inhabited

➢ Greece is the country that invented Democracy (by
Athenians) and the spirit of Olympic Games which has
enlighten the world to the eternity

➢ Greeks use olive oil as the main ingredient of Mediterranean
cuisine which is an unforgettable experience for every visitor

page 05 INDIA

➢ Namaste is one of the most popular Indian customs and is not really restricted to
the Indian territory. Namaste, or namaskar, or 'namaskaara' is one of the five forms of
traditional greetings mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. It literally
translates to 'I bow to you', and greeting one another with it is a way of saying 'May
our minds meet', indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The word
namaha can also be translated as 'na ma' (not mine), to signify the reductions of one's
ego in the presence of the other
➢ In India, the saying 'AtithiDevoBhavah' is also integral. It means 'the guest is
equivalent to god'. The guest has always been of supreme importance in the culture
of India.
➢Food in India is often served on a ‘thali’ – a tray or plate that can hold several dishes.
Indian food and cuisine not only form an integral part of Indian culture but are also
one of the key factors of India's popularity worldwide. The style of cooking varies
from region to region, though unanimously, Indian food has a major reputation for its
extensive use of spices and herbs. Eating with fingers is a common practice in India
➢ The concept of arranged marriage in India traces its origin to as early as the Vedic
times. For royal families, a ceremony known as the 'Swayambar' would be arranged for
the bride. Suitable matches from all over the kingdom were invited to either compete
in some competition to win over the bride, or the bride would herself chose her ideal
husband. Even today, the concept of arranged marriage remains a favourite among
Indians and is an integral part of 'Indian Traditions’
➢ Indian women are often seen wearing 'saris'. The sari is a single cloth and needs no
stitching; it is easy to make and comfortable to wear. Kurta-Pajama', and the
ceremonial wear of 'Sherwani' for Indian men of all religions

page 06 IRAN

➢ It’s Custom in Iran to have Sangak bread (Fresh bread made in an oven on
hot stones) for breakfast usually the elder of the family wakes up early in the
morning and sets out to the bakery to fetch fresh bread for the family breakfast.
➢ Iranians have a form of Iranian politeness called (Taarof) were when
something is offered to the other party they should decline a couple of times
before accepting. And it is frowned upon if what is offered is accepted from the
first time.
➢ Persian carpets are a huge part of Iran’s economical culture, that were used
to depict stories from Iranian History but as we moved to a more modernized
time the stories have been replaced by beautiful intricate flower designs, they
are mostly hand made and famous for the wool material that is used but it is
also made in pure Persian silk for the more luxurious clientele. Most famous
carpets are made in a city called Tabreez.
➢ Nowrouz is wildly celebrated in Iran around family and friends. They gather
around over a traditional table they call (sofreh) with 7 ingredients that each
represent a meaning going into the new year, Sabzeh - wheat (Rebirth), Samanu
- Sweet Pudding (Affluence), Senjed - Dried Persian Olive (Love), Ser - Garlic
(Medicine), Seb - Apple (Beauty & Health) Somaq - Sumac (Sunrise) Serkeh -
Vinegar (Age & Patience). This table is called the Haftsin (which translates to
the 7 S’s).
➢ Sizdah-Bedar - 13th Day, Is celebrated 13 days after Nowrouz and it is
considered unlucky to stay indoors on this day, families set out to parks, gardens
or fields to celebrate nature, by going outdoors we celebrate spring and leave
behind all the bad luck associated with the number 13. The Sabzeh from the
HaftsinSofreh is taken and thrown into a flowing stream of water which takes
away all the negative feelings and bad luck that lingers at home

page 07 JAMAICA

➢ Folklore - Most children grow up hearing Anansi Stories – These were
stories about life lessons, with the main character being Anansi – depicted
as a Spider who was always up to antics, with a cunning personality, a
trickster but full of humour.
➢ Music and Dance – Reggae is a Genre of music that originated in
Jamaica in the 1960s, made popular to the world by Bob Marley (Robert
Nesta Marley). It depicts the Rhythms and Rhymes of the people, the
scenic beauty of the island and the relaxing feeling you get being in
there. It’s the norm to hear music playing in homes, bars along the streets
in the city. People are always having music around them. People will just
dance openly, enjoying themselves and their music without any special
occasions.
➢Language - English is our Native language, however most Jamaicans
speak Patois – (“Patwah”, a french) This is the Jamaican creole Language,
a mixture of English and West African languages. A common word
among Jamaicans is “irie” meaning good vibes, nice feeling.
➢Food - Jamaicans love to welcome guests with our food, especially our
national dish; ackee and saltfish. Jerk Chicken is also a must have as well.
Sunday dinner is a common thing in most Jamaican’s homes, where we
cook the biggest meal of the week, can have a variety of meats and sides
and most times having other family members or guests over to eat with us
➢Sociable - Jamaicans traditionally will always greet people who they
meet, the regular good morning, good evening etc. Most people are warm
and welcoming to strangers and you may just get invited to Sunday
dinners

page 08 JORDAN

➢ Jordan serve Arabic coffee to the guests.

➢ ALDAHYA &ALDABEKH are the traditional dance in
Jordan.

➢ ALKibar&ALDaamir are the traditional attire of men and
Embroidered dress is the traditional attire for women in Jordan

➢ JORDAN has many old traditional sports such as horse
riding.

➢ Jordanians are used to making weddings of both types, non-
mixed and mixed wedding parties.

page 09 KAZAKHSTAN

➢ Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, with a welcome just as wide.
The word “Kazakh” itself translates to “free, independent nomad.”
➢ Kazakhstan Hospitality -The Kazakh people have a long tradition of peace,
tolerance and co-existence. Children learn hospitality and respect from a very young
age and this is shown in their wonderful hospitality offered to all guests and travelers.
If you visit a Kazakh household, a present will be given to you as a greeting as you
enter the door. You may sit on the tor - the special guest seat - and be offered a cup of
either koumiss or tea. It is considered extremely bad manners to disturb weary or
hungry guests, so the host often remains silent until you are refreshed!
➢ Kazakhstan Customs and Traditions - The ancestors of modern-day Kazakhs were
nomadic or semi-nomadic, and many of their customs reflect that lifestyle. Nowadays,
people live mostly in cities and villages, although many still lead an agricultural life.
Not surprisingly, horses play a large part in their traditions. It is said that in the past,
many Kazakh children learned to ride before they learned to walk, and the Kazakhs
are still known for their superb horsemanship. They were the first to use stirrups, and
perfected the technique of shooting arrows with superb accuracy while riding at a
gallop. No traveler should miss an opportunity to watch such displays of riding skill.
➢ Kazakh Festivals - The first day of spring begins the Persian New Year. In
Kazakhstan, this holiday is known as Nauryz, and it is said that the more you celebrate
at this time, the greater will be your success throughout the year. In fact, the
celebration goes on for nearly a month! It is a time to visit and congratulate friends
and neighbors, and also a time to forgive each other. Guests are met in beautifully
decorated yurts where they enjoy a traditional dish of Nauryzkoshe, which is made by
with seven different grains, representing the seven days of the week.
Many Kazakh festivals feature horse racing or other games that are played on
horseback. One endurance race features as many as two hundred participants, with
riders going around a mile-long track for about thirty laps. Other games include
Kokpar - a type of polo, Kumis Alu, where riders attempt to pick a handkerchief off
the ground while galloping at full speed or KuuzKuu – where the boys try to beat the
girls in a race.

page 10 MOROCCO

➢ The official languages are Arabic and Berber. French is also
widely spoken except in the northern region where Spanish is
predominant.

➢ The traditional Moroccan dress for both men and women is
the djellaba which is a long, loose, hooded cloth with full sleeves.

➢ Traditional Moroccan cuisine is rich and varied, with
Amazigh, Arabic, Andalusian, and Mediterranean influences.

➢ One of the most interesting facts about Morocco is that the
medina of Fez is home to the oldest still-operating university in
the entire world, the University of al-Qarawiyyin.

➢ Ouarzazate has been the background in many famous
Hollywood productions, including Gladiator, Disney’s Prince of
Persia, and Game of thrones.

page 11 NIGERIA

Nigeria is a very diverse nation in culture and customs from
North, South, East and West but many run common amongst us:

➢ Our common value as a nation is our strong extended family
system that promotes communal life and shared sense of
responsibility

➢Traditional wrestling is a common sport in all regions and
football has become the most popular in recent times. The
wrestling competitions are flavored with dance performances;
Atilogwu, bata, ekombi, swangeetc. Drums, gongs and beaded
calabashes being the common instruments.

➢ Attire - Agbadaa, Iro and Buba, Isi-agu, Akwete, Aso-oke and
wrappers with elegant head-gears and colourful caps as major
accessories.

➢ Nigeria foods consists of spices, herbs, vegetables made with
palm or groundnut oil to create deeply flavored sauces and soups
e.gEgusi, Edikaikong,Groundnut soup amongst other with
Jollof Rice being our most common delicacy.

page 12 PAKISTAN

➢ Pakistan’ is derived from the word ‘Pak’ – a Persian word

denoting pure or clean and ‘Istan’ – a Hindi word which refers to

place. As such, Pakistan means the ‘Pure Place’ or ‘Pure Land’.

Religion & Beliefs
➢ Muslim 97%, Christian, Hindu, and other (inc. Sikh) 3%
➢ Islam is practiced by the majority of Pakistanis and governs

their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
➢ Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times

a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
➢ Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed.
➢ During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast

from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per

day. Fasting includes no eating and drinking.
➢ Most languages in Pakistan belong to the Indo-Iranian

language group, including Urdu, the national language.Cultural

Festivals - part of Rich Pakistan

*Eid ul Fitr& Eid Ul Azha

*Shab-e-barat

*Eid-Milad-un-Nabi

*Bassant

page 13 PALESTINE

➢ Palestine serve Arabic coffee to the guests.

➢ALDABEKH are the traditional dance in Palestine .

➢ALqambaz is the traditional attire of men and Embroidered
dress is the traditional attire for women in Palestine.

➢Palestine has many old traditional sports such as alhajla.

➢Palestinian people are used to making weddings of both types,
non-mixed and mixed wedding parties.

page 14 PERU

➢ Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil
and Argentina.

➢ Peru has over 3000 different varieties of potatoes

➢ Peru is famous worldwide for its food, Ceviche is probably
their most important dish.

➢ Machupicchu is one of the new Seven wonders of the world,
it is an Incan city located on the top of a very high mountain in
Cuzco. It is so well placed that the Spaniards never found it.

➢ Peruvian are incredible attentive to visitors, with their food
and many celebrations, also they are passionate about football
and as well as being the national sport,

page 15 TURKMENISTAN

➢ Before you enter into a legal marriage with Turkmen citizens,
foreigners or stateless persons have to pay to the account of the
Turkmen State Insurance Organization an astronomical amount
of money – $ 50 thousand
➢ Another interesting fact about a Turkmen wedding is the
jewellery, the largest amount of silver jewellery in the world is
worn by the Turkmen brides.
➢ Ashgabat operates the world’s only Museum of Turkmen
Carpet. One of the most valuable relics of the museum is
created in 1941-1942 giant-carpet “Turkmen Kalba” (Turkmen
Soul), an area of 193.5 square meters
➢ And finally, the fourth giant-carpet as big as 301 square
meters and a weight of 1 ton and 200 kilograms was woven in
2001. The Masterpiece is included in the Guinness Book of
Records as the largest handmade carpet in the world.
➢ Ashgabat – one of the hottest cities in the world, available in
the summer the temperature is above +45 ° C. Precipitation is
199 mm a year. One of the most important cities of the
antiquity, Merv that was located in Turkmenistan, was an
important node in the. Here lived and worked Omar Khayyam,
al-Samani, Imamad din-Isfahani and other great thinkers of the
Middle Ages. The chroniclers called it the mother city of
Khorasan and the city where the Universe rests.

page 16 UAE

➢ Emiratis serve coffee and dates to guests.

➢ Yola is very old and traditional dance in UAE

➢ White Kandora is thetaditional attire of Men and black
Abhaya is the traditinal attire for women in UAE.

➢ UAE has many old and traditional sports such as falconary
, camel race

➢ Wedding parties are not mixed in UAE, Bride have a
dedicated place to celebrate with her friends and Men
celebatre in separate hall.

page 17 UZBEKISTAN

➢ ''Chapan'' is the traditional attire for men and
''Khan atlas'' dress is for women.

➢ ''Osh'' is the main dish of Uzbekistan served on
big events such as weddings.

➢ 'Tanovar'' is the most popular song and dance
with very romantic character.

➢ Uzbekistan is the home to many folk sports such
as ''Kurash'', ''Uloq'' and ''Darboz''.

➢ “Beshik tuy'' is the celebration of the birth of the
first child.