Culture differences between UAE and Turkey
Compare and contrast essay about Culture differences between UAE and Turkey.
1000 words
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Start the essay with
Although they bear some minor similarities, the difference
between the Emirati and Turkey culture are pronounced.
Or
While some differences between UAE and Turkey are evident , the similarities
are pronounced.
Solution
Introduction
Although they bear some minor similarities, the difference between the Emirati and
Turkey culture is pronounced. The discrepancies range from cuisine, architectural designs,
sports, to music and dance and religion plays a major role in these cultural practices. Turkey is
the only largely Muslim state that is also secular, consequently aspects of its dressing are not
bound by Islam, for instance, wearing of headscarves for women was banned. Besides that
geographical factors and climate propagate differences in cultural aspects of the two countries as
explored in this essay.
Architectural designs
The United Arab Emirates
The UAE boasts of some of the world’s best architectural marvels in the world, for
instance, the iconic palm Jumeira Islands and the tallest buildings in the world, nonetheless, the
Emirati state is still heavily influenced by Islamic architecture. UAEs architecture draws
Arabian and Persian influences which are central in propagating the Emirati identity against a
backdrop of increased westernization (Golzari, 2016). Consequently, the Emirati architecture is
a manifestation of the traditional lifestyle and Islamic customs of the UAE, for instance, the
Windcatcher is a trademark of the UAE. The windcatcher( barjeel), is accredited to Persian
influences and its traditional Emirati architecture is reflective of the climatic conditions of the
MiddleEast; openings on these type of building function more as ventilators and the temperature
regulators.
CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
Turkey
Unlike the UAE, Turkey’s architectural designs are influenced by numerous cultures and
historical eras. During the early Ottoman period, three types of mosque designs were prevalent;
tiered, single-doomed and sub line-angled, nonetheless in the Bursa and Classical periods, the
mosques included soup kitchens, tombs, ethnic elements, and the inner courtyard and mosque
became inseparable. Besides the Ottoman influences, Turkey’s architecture is characterized by
European influences as highlighted by the Rocco and Baroque styled palaces in Istanbul and
Eastern Turkey. The incorporation of western elements to the traditional Ottoman designs
occurred during the westernization period, an era of relative peace that saw villas and pavilions
build in Istanbul (Worringer, 2014). Nonetheless, the modern day Turkey is heavily influenced
by the rest of the world, privatization and the use of foreign architects in design.
Cuisine
Turkish
According to Seçim and Uçar, (2015), Turkish cuisine is not only one of the oldest but
also richest cuisines in the world, moreover, it consists of different types of rice, broths, and
soups, syrups, desserts, and vegetable. Turkish cuisine is heavily influenced by the Ottoman
culture and geographical factors which have added to the enrichment of the cuisine,
consequently, the cuisine is an aggregation of subcultures. The cuisine incorporates Middle
Eastern, Eastern European, Balkan and Central Asian influences which have helped create a
variety of Turkish specialties. On matters geography, food consumption is influenced by
climatic factors, for instance, Western Turkey is conducive for the growth of olive trees, and
therefore olive oil is used predominantly in cooking. Other instances include the use of lighter
CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
spices in Istanbul (elements of Ottoman court cuisine) and the large consumption of fish as in the
Black Sea region.
Emirati Cuisine
Unlike Turkish cuisine, Emirati cooking is influenced heavily by desert conditions of the
Middle east, therefore, the food incorporates meat and dairy products, vegetables and grains.
Another difference is that Emirati cuisine is a blend of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine that
does not incorporate European elements. Nonetheless, the food is reflective of Arabian heritage
and the exposure to diverse civilizations. Besides that, the most consumed food in the Emirates
is Machboos, a meal characterized by the rich taste from the mixture of vegetables; an array of
spices used to sauté the chicken and the long grained aromatic rice. On matters drinks and
beverage, tea and coffee are the primary drinks while alcohol consumption is highly prohibited
and only allowed in Sharjah unlike in turkey where the use of alcohol is common.
Clothing
Turkey
Although Turkey is heavily influenced by Islamic practices, religion plays little or no
roles in dress code. Nonetheless, in the recent past, clothing has been for political purposes as
highlighted by the Headscarf controversy in which all women were required to cover their heads
despite a decade's old ban on women scarves (Badruzzaman, Cohen, and Kushi, 2017). Besides
that, the dress code in Turkey is free and an individual is free to choose what he or she would
wish to wear. Many Turks prefer casual clothes such as sleeved summer dresses, shorts and long
trousers for men, however, there are exceptions; when visiting mosques men are banned from
wearing shorts.
CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
UAE
Clothing in the UAE, as is similar to cuisine and architectural designs, is influenced by
religion and climate. To begin with geography and climatic factors, the hot weather has been a
predisposing factor in the wearing of the Kandura, an ankle-length Arab garment which is
similar to a robe. Nonetheless, the younger populace in the UAE is heavily influenced by the
West and many prefer wearing designer clothes such as Gucci, Polo, Versace; they are not
confined by religion to a single type of clothing. On the other hand, women in the UAE wear
headscarves( Abaya), but it is out of will rather than compulsory.
Sports, music, and dance
UAE
Football is widely played in the UAE, nonetheless, Falconry, horse racing, desert, and
marine sports, golf, tennis, and indoor ice-skating are also common in the UAE. Falconry has
been part of the Emirati way of life for many generations, in fact, according to Webster, (2016)
Emiratis practiced falcon hunting while traversing the Arab deserts on camelback. In the UAE
falcon are also trained to catch prey alive and deliver to the owner and this is in line with
religious requirements which calls for animals to be used as food to be alive before their killed.
On matters of Music and Dance, the Emiratis practice Ayala Dancing which is followed by
drumming; they also listen to Khalili traditional music and Beduin folk music.
Turkey
Oil wrestling is an ancestral and a key sport in Turkish culture that is also part of Turkish
folklore. As the name suggests fighters are covered in olive oil as they wrestle on grass fields
and wrestling tournaments are held all year round and the oiling is indicative of mutual respect
CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
and balance (Şahin, 2018). On matters music and dance, each region in Turkey has a unique
version of folklore dancing and music, for instance in central, western and southern Anatolia
Zeybek is practiced widely while in the Black Sea area, horon dances are common. Turkish
music includes Arabesque, Fasil and the Music of the Ottoman Janissaries, nonetheless, it
incorporates elements of modernity and pop.
Conclusion
It is clear that while some differences between UAE and Turkey are evident, the
similarities are pronounced. To begin with Architectural designs; UAEs architecture draws
Arabian and Persian influences which are central in propagating the Emirati identity while the
Turkis designs are influenced by its Ottoman heritage and European influences. On matters
sports, football is the most famous sport in the UAE while in Turkey, wrestling is. With regards
to clothing, although Turkey is heavily influenced by Islamic practices, religion plays little or no
roles in dress code and many wear casual clothing unlike in the UAE where wearing of the
Abaya and Kandura is common.
CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
References
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CULTURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UAE AND TURKEY
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