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Discover Qatar’s local traditions
Qatar is a country rich in culture and tradition, and one of its most significant and celebrated aspects is its hospitality. In Qatar, guests are considered a blessing, and the host is expected to go above and beyond to make their guests feel welcome and at home. This culture of hospitality is deeply ingrained in Qatari society, and it is reflected in every aspect of their lives, from their food and music to their customs and traditions. In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of Qatari hospitality traditions and delve into the unique customs that make Qatar’s hospitality culture so distinctive and renowned around the world.
Let’s start with something as sweet as dates, one of the oldest trees on the Arabian Peninsula and the main fruit trees grown in Qatar. Packed with nutritional benefits, dates have been influential in the region for centuries, and Qatar is the sixteenth-largest date-producing country in the world. Traditional date presses, known as madbasa, are used to extract sweet and sticky date syrup, and the town of Al Zubarah showcases the importance of dates in Qatar’s early culture and economy.
In Qatar, serving dates and Arabic coffee is a symbolic expression of hospitality. Freshly ground and flavoured with cardamom and other spices, traditional Arabic coffee is served from a distinctively shaped pot called dallah in tiny cups with no handles. It is customary for the host to pour the coffee for their guests and to keep refilling their cups until the guest signals that they have had enough by shaking the cup from side to side.
Another fascinating tradition of Qatar is the Oud, also known as ‘liquid gold,’ it is made from a rare dark resin found in the agar tree, a species indigenous to Southeast Asia. Oud has been used for thousands of years in the Middle East and Asia, and is famous worldwide for its distinctive rich and woody fragrance. In the Middle East, Oud is commonly available in the form of wooden incense chips, body oils and aroma, and is a fixture in both Arab homes and ceremonies.
For centuries, pearls were a vital export for Qatar, and although the country’s economy has evolved, Qatar still has a deep affinity for these unique natural treasures. Visitors can find an excellent selection of genuine pearl jewellery at fine retailers nationwide, and for the best deals, head to Souq Waqif and the Gold Souq in Doha.
To experience and enjoy all these local traditions, we recommend visiting Qatar and immersing yourself in its culture. So, reserve your ticket soon, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Qonversations for more fascinating insights.
