Get To Know The Palestinian Culture: Located on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, Palestine has a complicated and controversial history. Believed to have been under the reign of numerous empires such as the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans, the region was then controlled under British mandate following World War II. Here, Britain began to establish Palestine as a Jewish homeland as part of the Zionist movement and subsequently, these actions led to much of the modern conflict that shapes Palestinian nationalism and patriotism today.
Made up of the Gaza Strip along the coast and sections of the West Bank on the east side of Jerusalem, some countries consider Palestine its own independent state whilst others do not. Yet, even without recognized borders and sovereignty, the Palestinian people are passionate about their nation and its abundant culture.
Closely related to those of its nearby countries including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, major aspects of Palestinian society and culture include religion, language, literature, art, costume and music. In order to learn more, this article will discuss the following:
| Palestinian food and cuisine | Languages spoken in Palestine |
| The Palestinian dialect (اللهجة الفلسطينية) | Religion in Palestine |
| Christians and Muslims in Palestine | Palestinian customs |
| Theatre, dance and the arts | Palestinian hospitability |
Palestinian Food And Cuisine
Palestinian staple foods include bread, meat, cheese, rice, sauces, soups and desserts. As expected, proximity to the Mediterranean also influences the flavours of Palestine and therefore, herbs and spices such as Za’atar play a very important role. Alongside this, accompanying each mouth-watering dish are beverages including Arabic tea and coffee, fresh juices, smoothies, lemonades and much more.
As Palestinian culture revolves around food, from day to day life to weddings and celebrations, mealtimes are not simply about nutrition. Often considered social occasions, food culture in Palestine is about spending time with family and friends, showing generous hospitality to guests and making an event special. As such, most celebrations and ceremonies (including Eid and iftar) include food.
Like in many countries, there is a strong national pride for the dishes and traditions revolving around food. Particularly known for dishes such as maqlubah and knafeh, there are also lots of sweet and savoury offerings and although most Palestinians include meat in their diet, it is perfectly possible to follow a plant based diet here.
Languages Spoken In Palestine
Arabic is primarily spoken as a first language in Palestine but many citizens also speak some English and an even smaller amount speak Hebrew. Yet even within the Arabic language there are numerous dialects and those in Palestine (as well as its Arab neighbours such as Syria and Lebanon), speak a dialect from the subgroup of Levantine Arabic. However, Modern Standard Arabic (that is used throughout the Arab world), will also be understood in Palestine.
During your time in Palestine you will probably find it easy to pick up a selection of Arabic words and phrases, which means that you will soon be able to greet people in Arabic! However, if you wish to study the language formally, we have several course options available at Engage in Palestine.
The Palestinian Dialect (اللهجة الفلسطينية)
The Palestinian dialect (اللهجة الفلسطينية) is the everyday spoken language and will be understood by the Palestinian people.
| Native speakers | 13 Million Palestinians |
| Language family | Afro-Asiatic > Semitic |
| Dialects | Fellahi; Madani |
| Writing system | Arabic alphabet |
| Dialect varieties | Intelligible varieties of Levantine Arabic |
Although known, some of the words in Modern Standard Arabic are not really used in day-to-day conversation and some people may not understand the formal language at all. However, as the Palestinian dialect is one of the closest dialects to Modern Standard Arabic, if you have studied this subject or learned some basic phrases in MSA, you will find that it is relatively simple to pick up the Palestinian dialect.
Religion In Palestine
Palestine is located in the Holy Land for believers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Therefore, religious populations in Palestine are typically Muslims, Christians and to a lesser extent, Jews. In fact, modern estimates suggest that over 90% of the population identifies as Muslim (with the Sunni sect being predominant), 6% as Christian and the remainder as Jewish or secular.
Christians And Muslims In Palestine
Palestinian culture is based on not only helping family members and neighbors, but also passersby whoever they may be. A Palestinian person therefore, will automatically offer any possible help they can give and this means that, despite their differing views, Christians and Muslims live harmoniously alongside one another.
It is this harmony and peace that imbues Palestine with a special beauty. For example, the site of the Church of the Nativity and the Mosque of Omar bin al-Khatta both share the same location in Manger Square in the heart of Bethlehem city.
Palestinian Culture And Customs
Much of the core of Palestinian customs and conventions have been influenced by the prevalence of Islam as well as the interactions with neighbouring countries. Close government ties and immigration among Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and more have resulted in similar norms across the region, ensuring Palestinian culture is a rich array of contrasts and unique and impressive to all who visit.
Known for being incredibly hospitable, you might be invited to have tea or coffee with someone you have just met as Palestinians trust people very quickly and enjoy meeting with internationals from all over the world.
As the Palestinian philosophy is to take care of their guests whoever they are, they will always try to make people comfortable – treating them as if they have known them for a long time or as if they are part of the family. Additionally, a Palestinian friend will invite you to go out with them often, check up on you regularly and be a friend for a lifetime.
Theatre, Dance And Art
Despite the ongoing political deadlock, Palestinian society has ensured that the creative endeavours of its people have remained and flourished in the region. With the help of an eager international audience, NGOs and concerned activists, Palestinian theatres, dance and art groups have been preserved for anyone who visits the region.
The Cultural Life of Palestinians
The cultural life of Palestinians did however, take a setback amidst the crushing burden that was the Second Intifada. But with those days behind them, the famed resoluteness that is a part of being Palestinian ensured this was only a setback, and in recent times, the region has experienced a cultural revival. At the heart of this revival has been Ramallah, the de-facto capital of Palestine.
Being a slightly more liberal city than Hebron or Nablus, Ramallah has recovered from those days where many parts of the city were attacked by Israeli forces and where Yasser Arafat was put under siege. So although it’s been and is still a city with challenges, Ramallah bustles with the energy of a people determined to make a sustainable, vibrant life for themselves. With a constant selection of shows and performances mixed with a resurging art and cultural scene, Ramallah has something to offer the culturally interested traveler.
An Exchange Of Culture
As Palestinians haven’t always had the opportunity to show the world their culture, they are eager and keen to share their knowledge and allow international visitors to engage in cultural and familial activities designed to celebrate the region. As a result, any trip to Palestine will be full of amazing memories and enjoyable moments.
However, locals not only wish to show you Palestinian culture but are also very keen to learn other cultures too. Whether that’s through getting to know about daily habits or how people spend their time, it gives them a glimpse into another culture and way of life.
Israeli Control Over Palestine
It is known that the Palestinian borders are fully controlled by Israel which decides who enters and who does not. Added to this, Palestine does not have its own airport as the Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza was destroyed by the Israeli forces in 2000.
This results in Palestine having fewer visitors compared to other countries that have control over their own borders. Nonetheless, this makes Palestinians more eager to host internationals who come from different countries around the globe and they do so with open arms.
Palestinian Friendliness
During your time here, you will be surrounded by people who want to help make your trip to Palestine enjoyable. You might hear them saying “Hello,” “Welcome to Palestine” or “How are you?” and they will be keen to help you find what you are looking for. As these greetings act as a sign of hospitality and eagerness, Palestinians want to make sure that you feel totally comfortable and welcome on their sacred land, regardless of where you come from.
Tara Visited the West Bank in February 2020:
“I travelled to Palestine in February 2020. I was based in Abu Dis but travelled around most of the West Bank. The overriding feeling was that of being welcome wherever I went. The local residents of Abu Dis soon recognized me and were happy to chat, help me practice my Arabic and generally assist me in any way possible. They also]’ offered advice and expressed concern for my welfare, always being pleased to know when I returned safely from my excursions. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
The people I met in various towns and cities were all extremely hospitable too. I was invited into a family home in Jerusalem, celebrated my birthday with a woman in Abu Dis who had her birthday on the same day, and upon learning that I work with and have an interest in horses, the organiser of our trip to Jericho arranged to include a visit to the local stables. I would recommend Palestinian hospitality to anyone! However, if at any time you find the intense hospitality overwhelming, just remember that Palestinians only want to ensure that you are well looked after, comfortable and that you have everything you need.”
Meeting New People In Palestine
Visiting Palestine is an exceptional opportunity for you to meet Palestinian people, experience their daily life, learn Palestinian Arabic and observe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict first-hand. Most importantly, it is also an opportunity to significantly and positively influence the lives of Palestinians.
As you have read above, living in Palestine is totally different from living in Europe, the USA, Asia, South America or Australia. Life in Palestine is characterized by intensive social interactions, a spontaneous lifestyle (people and the way of doing things are not organized according to prearranged plans), hospitality and an eagerness to know about others and the wider world.
Palestine Is Culturally Rich
Despite this though, suffice to say, that despite the occupation and the one-sided news that filters out of Palestine, the region of Palestine is as culturally rich as its people are welcoming and the land is beautiful. If a cultural experience is what you are after, you could do no worse than coming to this part of the world.
Final Remarks
Your time in Palestine will be rich and rewarding. No matter how long you have to spend immersed in this culture, it will be time well spent because it is incredibly easy to engage in Palestinian culture and feel like more than just a tourist. Furthermore, if you take time to make friends and walk the unbeaten path, you will have more pictures, stories and adventures than you could have imagined.
Although cultural differences will likely exist, you will also find yourself welcomed and appreciated at a home away from home. Most international visitors, interns, students, and volunteers adapt relatively easily to life in Palestine and enjoy a change of scenery and pace.
Finally, we encourage you to arrive with an open mind, be eager to learn and be motivated to participate in Palestinian culture. You will have a richer experience this way and leave knowing more about the Palestinian food, language, religion and zeal for life. We encourage you to document your experiences and share your love of Palestine with others as this helps to raise awareness and encourage others to visit the West Bank and experience Palestine for themselves!
Overall, we are sure you will have a wonderful and unforgettable stay here in Palestine.
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