The United Arab Emirates has been a center of trade since ancient times, copper, pearls and oil being some of its most precious commercial commodities. Today, trade is still a central cornerstone of the economy, oil and gas exports remaining an important component as far as exports are concerned. The UAE exports 62 per cent of its crude oil to Japan and gas exports are almost entirely to Japan
Before the discovery of oil, there was very little development in the Arabian Peninsula , and certainly no proper educational system. In 1962, when oil production started in Abu Dhabi , the country had just 20 schools for less than 4,000 students, most of them boys. The country lacked the necessary infrastructure for development (hospitals, proper housing, airports, etc.) as well as qualified human resources.
The discovery of oil provided the necessary finances to improve the education system. This was a high priority for His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE President, who declared: "Youth is the real wealth of the nation." His aim was to use the oil revenue to develop academically and technically qualified citizens - men and women - able to serve their country in its future progress.
When the UAE was established in 1971, education was still largely confined to urban areas, and there were less than 28,000 students in the country. Any student wishing to go beyond secondary education was financed by the government and had to go abroad, sometimes to other Arabic countries, but mainly to England and the United States .
Traditional costumes, one of the oldest art forms and an integral part of the folk culture of any society are usually dictated by a country's climatic and religious requirements, achieving a corresponding level of sophistication in material and elaboration as one climbs the social scale. The UAE corresponds to this pattern but it is unusual in that traditional dress is still the norm rather than relegated to the realms of folklore.
Men traditionally wear an ankle-length, cool, loose-fitting and supremely comfortable garment, the kandoura or dishdash complete with a high neck and long sleeves whilst a headdress, comprised of a skull-cap ( taqia or qahfa ) covered by a long cloth, usually white, ( gutra ) all secured by a wool rope ( al iqal or al ghizam ) wound round the vcccccccrown, protects the head and neck from the blistering sun. The bisht , a sleeveless flowing black or beige cloak trimmed with gold, whose material depends on the social status of the wearer, is sometimes worn, especially for ceremonial occasions.
The wedding in the UAE consider as an important tradition of the culture. And this tradition developed from the past to present in many ways. We can notice this changing in bride's preparation for her wedding, groom preparation and traditional music.
Bride's preparation in the past it was simple, but now get more complicated and difficult. Bride's preparation for her wedding in the past was really simple it's only contains henna and sorts of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. These days the preparation of wedding specially the bride costs much than before. The most effective factor in high price of wedding is the jewelry and Azahba. Anther factor which it is the party of wedding if it in tent it will cost much money, but in hotel is much better to make the party. In the UAE most people like doing their party of wedding in tent which cost much. In the past the party only contains family member, but these days they expand the invitation.
The celebrating of wedding in the past took one week before the wedding night and one of the celebrating is the henna night or Laylat Al Henna which is a very special night for the bride since it is a ladies' night only. The henna night is a time for all the bride's sisters, female family members, and girlfriends to get together and sing and dance. In the present it takes less than week and some time it takes only one day which is wedding day.
The groom preparation in the past was simple and these days it consider simple if we compare it with bride preparation.
Traditional music in wedding is playing a big role in our culture. In the past the traditional music continuous singing, and dancing take place reflecting the joy shared by the bride's and the groom's family . Nowadays, we depend in DJ music, but we still kept the traditional of dancing special in man's celebrating.
Another traditional element of the UAE customs is the Arabian Kohl or eyeliner. Nowadays, we can see the make-up with different colors. In the wedding night the simple dress, nowadays, the bride wear a white wedding dress which expensive
depending on it style.
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