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If you are interested in learning about high culture in the Middle East, then this is the blog post for you! In this post, we will discuss what high culture is, and provide some examples of it from countries in the Middle East. We will also talk about some of the unique aspects of high culture in this region of the world. So, if you are curious about learning more about Middle Eastern culture, please keep on reading.
Understanding the high culture in the Middle East – Everything you should know
Middle Eastern culture has been around for centuries and is full of grandeur, mystery, and beauty. High culture in the region typically refers to the upper classes, aristocracy, or royalty and their distinctive lifestyle. It also encompasses fine arts such as literature, music, theater, painting, architecture, and sculpture. These aspects of high culture have been heavily influenced over time by religion (mainly Islam), language, and various other cultural factors. Hence, whether you are wondering about the Dubai opera dress code, or you want to know a thing or two about the middle eastern fashion scene, you will be able to find your answers here. Furthermore, the high culture of the Middle East also includes ancient sports such as falconry, equestrianism, and polo.
Ancient sports (falconry, equestrianism, polo)
Falconry, equestrianism, and polo are the most popular sports in the Middle East and have been for centuries. Falconry is a hunting technique that involves using trained birds of prey to hunt game animals. It is popular in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Morocco. Equestrianism is another sport that has its origins in the Middle East, and it includes activities such as horse riding, dressage, and show jumping. Polo is a team sport played on horseback that originated in Central Asia. It is popular throughout the Middle East and is especially prominent in Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey.
Fine arts (literature, music, theater, painting, architecture, sculpture)
The fine arts in the Middle East have a long and illustrious history. Literature has been an important part of high culture for centuries, with renowned authors such as Nizami Ganjavi, Omar Khayyam, and Rumi producing works that are still widely read today. Music is also a cornerstone of middle eastern culture, with genres like Sufi, Arabic pop, and classical music being popular throughout the region. The theater has a long tradition in the Middle East as well, with plays often performed at venues such as Al-Hussein National Theatre in Cairo or The Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman. Painting, architecture, and sculpture are also important elements of high culture across Middle Eastern countries, with intricate designs and breathtaking monuments often seen in cities like Istanbul or Shiraz.
Religion (Islam)
Islam is a cornerstone of the culture in the Middle East and has shaped many aspects of high culture as well. Islamic art, literature, music, architecture, and sculpture are all heavily influenced by religion. For instance, an Islamic calligraphy is a form of writing that is used to decorate buildings and makes use of intricate designs based on verses from the Qur’an. Music in the Middle East is also heavily influenced by Islam, with instruments such as ouds and tablas being used to create traditional music styles like Sufi and Qawwali.
Overall, high culture in the Middle East covers a wide variety of topics, from ancient sports to fine arts and religion. There is no doubt that this region has a long and rich history that continues to shape its culture today. So if you are interested in learning more about the Middle East and its high culture, there is plenty of information out there for you to explore!
