CULTURE
The concepts
of family and of honour are very important in Arab culture and
society. To offend a member of a tribe is to offend the tribe
as a whole. This has often led to inter-tribal wars in the past,
but is not the case today, although the family will usually band
together on principle over issues of conflict. Unlike in Western
society, it is deemed preferable to marry within your tribe and
to find a spouse who is as closely related as possible, although
naturally siblings may not marry. Marriage is a family and business
matter, and virtually all marriages are arranged, often when the
concerned parties are very young. Girls are deemed of marriageable
age at about fourteen or fifteen years old. In the past, girls
as young as twelve could be married, but the tendency in recent
years has been to wait until the girl is somewhat older, especially
if she is studying. Qatari weddings are an elaborate, ritualistic
affair, lasting several days and involving a great deal of ceremony,
most of which is conducted separately by women and men. Expatriates
are often lucky enough to be invited to wedding parties and, should
this happen, you should always go, as they afford a fascinating
glimpse into traditional social celebrations.
