Qatari folklore largely revolves around sea-based activities and the accolades of renowned folk heroes. Like elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, folktales – known in Qatar as hazzawi[1] – play an important role in Qatar's culture.[2] Some of Qatar's folktales have a distinctive local character while others have been imparted by nomadic tribes wandering between the present-day Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Local folk stories were seldom documented, instead being passed down orally from generation to generation. After Qatar began profiting from oil exploration, the tradition of passing down these stories gradually ceased. Government ministries such as the Ministry of Culture and Sports and local universities have made efforts to preserve and transcribe local legends in publications.[3]
Among Qatar's most noted folk heroes are Qatari ibn al-Fuja'a, a 7th-century war poet,[4] and Rahmah ibn Jabir Al Jalhami, an 18th- and 19th-century pirate and transitory leader of Qatar.[5] Recurring themes in Qatari folklore are djinn, pearl diving, and the sea.[6] Almost every story has a positive moral behind it, such as honesty, strength or piety.[7]
^Autumn Watts (12 February 2020). "Enduring Tales: The Qatari Oral Tradition". Words Without Borders. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
^Sayyagh, Fayyiz (2012). "Chapter 1: Folktales from Qatar" (PDF). Studies in Qatari Folklore. Vol. 2. Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Sports (Qatar). p. 17. ISBN 9927122314. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
^Amanda Erickson (28 March 2011). "Saving the stories". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
^"نبذة حول الشاعر: قطري بن الفجاءة" (in Arabic). Adab. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
^Allen J. Fromherz (1 June 2017). Qatar: A Modern History, Updated Edition. Georgetown University Press. p. 49. ISBN 9781626164901.
^Pechcin, Katarzyna (2017). "A Tale of "The Lord of the Sea" in Qatari Folklore and Tradition". Romano-Arabica. Fictional Beings in Middle East Cultures. XVII. Bucharest: University of Bucharest's Center for Arab Studies: 73–84. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
^Augustin, Byron; Augustin, Rebecca A. (1 January 1997). Qatar. Enchantment of the World Second Series. New York: Children's Press. p. 97.
Qatarifolklore largely revolves around sea-based activities and the accolades of renowned folk heroes. Like elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, folktales...
Arts and literature themes are often related to sea-based activities. Qatarifolklore and music best enshrine the state's marine tradition, with pearling...
Kindergartens in Suffusing Tradition in the Minds of Qatari Children" (PDF). Studies in QatariFolklore. Vol. 2. Translated by El Omrani, Abdelouadoud. Heritage...
Mai and Ghaylan) is a legend, or hikâya, originating from Qatar. In Qatarifolklore, the tale of May and Ghilân has been celebrated as a foundational narrative...
approximately ten days earlier each year. Preceding the commencement of fasting, Qataris engage in preparatory rituals and communal gatherings, exemplified by the...
folklore may include any of the following: Arab folklore Armenian folklore Assyrian/Syriac folklore Iranian folklore Jewish folkloreQatarifolklore Turkish...
Qatari cuisine is made up of traditional Arab cuisine. Machbūs, a meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables, is the national dish in Qatar, typically...
Qatari clothing is similar to other Persian Gulf countries, typically consisting of a ghutra, agal, and thawb for men, and an abaya and shayla for women...
other Persian Gulf nations, is strongly influenced by Islamic architecture. Qatari architecture has retained its Islamic essence, evident in the unadorned...
The modern Qatari art movement emerged in the mid-20th century, as a result of the new-found wealth acquired from oil exports and the subsequent modernization...
Qatari literature traces its origins back to the 19th century. Originally, written poetry was the most common form of expression, but poetry later fell...
the advent of oil, Al-Bushiya (Arabic: البوشيه) is a play based on Qatarifolklore and explores sea life and pearl diving. The story revolves around an...
resulted in the displacement of Persian Gulf inhabitants, the formation of the Qatari Peninsula and the occupation of Qatar to capitalize on its coastal resources...
being considered to be one of the Middle East's most open media outlets, Qatari authorities enforce stringent restrictions on freedom of local media, including...
Public art in Qatar Cinema of Qatar Literature of Qatar Music of Qatar Qatarifolklore Television in Qatar Theatre in Qatar Qatar National Theater Sport in...
shot in Qatar. The film showcases Khaleeji and Qatari culture and tradition as it showcases local folklore. The film was produced and funded by the ministry...
depending on the popularity of the teams. In a 2014 survey conducted by Qatari government ministries and departments, 65% of the 1,079 respondents indicated...
Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family Public art in Qatar Literature Qatarifolklore Music and performing arts Media Radio Television Cinema Sport Monuments...
The Qatari Almanac (Arabic: التقويم القطري, romanized: al-Taqwīm al-Qaṭari) was an annual almanac authored by religious scholar Sheikh Abdullah Ibrahim...
Influences by identity Local Qatari artist Shouq Al Mana created Egal which is a representation of the traditional headwear that Qatari men wore as far back as...
and satellite television stations like Al Arabiya. The founding of the Qatari Al Jazeera network in 1996 especially affected media values. Some scholars...
carried out annually by the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, which began in 2002 with the aim of spreading Qatari culture inside and outside...
Relations". Qatari Embassy in San Jose. Retrieved 2 June 2018. "Ambassador". Qatari Embassy in Havana. Retrieved 2 June 2018. "Qatar-Cuba Relations". Qatari Embassy...
Qatar-based Arab Gulf States Folklore Centre in the early 1990s. It is equipped with numerous illustrations and contains facets about Qatari culture. In 2016, she...
performed 20 hours of live entertainment on stage. Activities included folklore shows, an international food court, hookah lounge, kids rides and booth...