Djibouti Culture
The Republic of Djibouti is a country located in the north-east Africa bordering the Gulf of Aden at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
It is bordered by Eritrea to the north; Ethiopia to the north, west, and south; and Somalia to the southeast. The location of the country is such that it forms a link between various countries of the world through trade and commerce. There are various civilizations that have cast their influence on the culture of Djibouti.
Owing to a number of ethnic groups in the country, the Culture of Djibouti is very rich and well-assorted. Arabs, French, Somalis, and other minority groups make up the ethnicity of Djibouti. The people of Djibouti are very hospitable, kind, and generous. These groups are peace-loving and stay in harmony by respecting each other’s traditions and actively participating in the various cultural festivities.
Djibouti Traditions
Djibouti Traditions are age old and varied. There are generally two major ethnic groups in the country along with some other tribes and clans.
In the Djibouti Tradition, the major religion that is followed is Islam. There are mosques in various parts of the country. The most popular and holy place for the Muslims in the country is in the Goda Mountains where the tomb of Sheikh Abu Yazid is present. This is an integral part of the custom of Djibouti.
The women of Djibouti wear long skirts and cover their faces with a veil. The married women also cover their head with cloth. During the religious festivals, people always stick to the traditional dress. The art and culture of the country is mostly passed on locally from one generation after generation. The local people dance, sing and also act for a particular story in their native language.
The influence of French and Islam tradition and culture can be witnessed in the architecture of the buildings of Djibouti. The art works in the houses of Djibouti people include various forms of calligraphy, plasterwork and motifs. The two chief racial groups of the country are Afar and Issas who play important role in the country and in the influence of culture. Somalis also live in Djibouti and their vocal tradition have influenced the two cultural groups of the country to a large extent.
The Afar group also has stylish literature which is mainly verbal and the major part of the literature is preserved in the form of songs. Songs in Djibouti are usually classified into various groups such as praise songs, war songs and many more.
Djibouti Religion
Djibouti is a country in east Africa. In Djibouti, 95 percent of the people practice the Islamic religion. In Djibouti Religion, there is no constraint on the practicing of other religions. In the country about one percent of the people belong to other religion like the Roman Catholic, or to the Baha’i Faith or Protestant.
The only Djibouti Holiday that falls in the category of non-Muslim holiday is that of Christmas, which is celebrated in the country with glory. The religions of Djibouti also consist of minorities in Orthodox Greek and Protestant. Roman Catholicism is also practiced in Djibouti. In Djibouti, there is no state religion and the political parties do not support or oppose any particular religion.
Djibouti Language
The major Djibouti language that is spoken in the country is that of French and Arabic. The chief traditional languages that are spoken by the inhabitants of the country are Issa-Somali and Afar. The languages of Issa-Somali and Afar are the incorporations of the Cushitic language group.
Somali language is also spoken by a large number of people. The language of Afar is also limited to the areas of Afar people. There are so many languages of Djibouti that most of the residents of the country are multi lingual. Other languages that are spoken in Djibouti are Arabic and Taizzi-Adeni.
In the country the medium of instruction that is followed is that of French.
Djibouti Food
The country possesses superb variety as well as quality of Djibouti Food. The tourists to the country of Djibouti would have a lifetime experience after tasting the mouth watering and delicious Djibouti Food.
There are many restaurants in the country that serve the visitors both local food of Djibouti as well as several international recipes. The cuisine of Djibouti is extremely rich and varied. Food of Djibouti is a major part of the tourism industry of Djibouti.
The local food of Djibouti is highly influenced by the French and the Arab culinary art forms. Asian cuisine can also be found in some restaurants of the country to pamper the taste buds of the people belonging from Asia. Fast foods are also prevalent among the Djibouti people.
One of the popular recipes of Djibouti is Soupe djiboutienne (Fah- Fah). Another recipe of the country is Djibouti Lentils which is popular as a side dish. One of the delicious foods, which is usually served as the food for the main course in Djibouti is the Yetakelt Wet which is actually a preparation of spicy mixed vegetable stew. Berber Sauce, Nitter Kebbeh, Banana Fritters are some more popular recipes of the country.
Festivals in Djibouti
The country of Djibouti is located in eastern Africa. The people of Djibouti celebrate many festivals; some of them are based on Islamic religion, while the others are based on Christianity. Both Ramdan and Christmas are celebrated with pomp and glory in the country.Djibouti Festivals also include the celebration of their Independence Day.
Public Holiday is declared on almost all the Djibouti Festivals. Since Ramdan continues for a month, it is not possible that holidays are declared for all the days. However there is a holiday on 25th December on occasion of Christmas. The number of Christians in Djibouti is moderately small in number. The most important religion that is followed by the majority of the people in Djibouti is Islam.
Christmas in Djibouti was introduced by some missionaries. The traditions that are followed by the people are in the western pattern. The members who belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas by holding various religious ceremonies on 7th January every year.
The festival of Eid Al Adha is celebrated in Djibouti and this day is also declared as a holiday in the country. All the major Islamic festivals are celebrated by the people of Djibouti with sincerity and faith. The Muslim Festivals in Djibouti are fixed according to the home sightings of diverse phases of the moon. The festival of Ramadan is celebrated in the country which is held during the lunar month. After this festival the important festival of Eid-al- Fitr is celebrated by the Muslims staying in Djibouti.
Djibouti Religion
Djibouti is a country in east Africa. In Djibouti, 95 percent of the people practice the Islamic religion. In Djibouti Religion, there is no constraint on the practicing of other religions. In the country about one percent of the people belong to other religion like the Roman Catholic, or to the Baha’i Faith or Protestant.
The only Djibouti Holiday that falls in the category of non-Muslim holiday is that of Christmas, which is celebrated in the country with glory. The religions of Djibouti also consist of minorities in Orthodox Greek and Protestant. Roman Catholicism is also practiced in Djibouti. In Djibouti, there is no state religion and the political parties do not support or oppose any particular religion.
The Somali society and the Afar believe in the Islamic faith. For the Catholics of the country there is one bishopric. There are as such no holy places for the Islamic people in the country. There are tombs of saints at Djibouti where the people go to show respect and pay homage.
Both Islamic and Christianity guidelines follow the belief that souls are immortal and they either go to heaven or move down to hell. The dead bodies of the persons following both Islamic religion and Christianity are buried under the ground.
Djibouti Traditions
The country of Djibouti is located in the continent of Africa. The country is also known officially as the Republic of Djibouti. Djibouti Traditions are age old and varied. There are generally two major ethnic groups in the country along with some other tribes and clans.
In the Djibouti Tradition, the major religion that is followed is Islam. There are mosques in various parts of the country. The most popular and holy place for the Muslims in the country is in the Goda Mountains where the tomb of Sheikh Abu Yazid is present. This is an integral part of the custom of Djibouti.
The women of Djibouti wear long skirts and cover their faces with a veil. The married women also cover their head with cloth. During the religious festivals, people always stick to the traditional dress. The art and culture of the country is mostly passed on locally from one generation after generation. The local people dance, sing and also act for a particular story in their native language.
The influence of French and Islam tradition and culture can be witnessed in the architecture of the buildings of Djibouti. The art works in the houses of Djibouti people include various forms of calligraphy, plasterwork and motifs. The two chief racial groups of the country are Afar and Issas who play important role in the country and in the influence of culture. Somalis also live in Djibouti and their vocal tradition have influenced the two cultural groups of the country to a large extent.
The Afar group also has stylish literature which is mainly verbal and the major part of the literature is preserved in the form of songs. Songs in Djibouti are usually classified into various groups such as praise songs, war songs and many more. The official languages that are spoken in the country are Arabic and French.
Djibouti Food
Djibouti is a country located at the eastern side of the continent of Africa. The country of Djibouti is officially called as the Republic of Djibouti. The country possesses superb variety as well as quality of Djibouti Food. The tourists to the country of Djibouti would have a lifetime experience after tasting the mouth watering and delicious Djibouti Food.
There are many restaurants in the country that serve the visitors both local food of Djibouti as well as several international recipes. The cuisine of Djibouti is extremely rich and varied. Food of Djibouti is a major part of the tourism industry of Djibouti.
The local food of Djibouti is highly influenced by the French and the Arab culinary art forms. Asian cuisine can also be found in some restaurants of the country to pamper the taste buds of the people belonging from Asia. Fast foods are also prevalent among the Djibouti people.
