Traditional roles in Saudi Arabia

       Traditions are found within every culture. Tradition can be defined as a ritual or belief that is passed within a specific religion, culture, or society. Rituals are actions that are preformed mainly for their symbolic value. Rituals can be preformed on certain occasions, or daily. Rituals can be preformed in a group setting or by a single individual. The reason for rituals and traditions differ and vary depending upon religious obligations or spiritual and emotional needs of the individual.

      The people in Saudi Arabia respect their culture and uphold their traditions.
Saudi Arabians follow and often dictates the Quran and consider it to be their book of guidelines for everyday life.

      According to the Quran consumption of alcohol is forbidden. Eating of pork too is prohibited. There traditions are very different from what we as americans are used to.

     The Saudi Arabian traditions state during formal meets guests should be offered black tea as a sign of cordiality. So when tourists visit local households they should drink a cup of tea to acknowledge the hospitality of the housemates.

     A very important guideline in regards to Saudi arabian tradition is their dress codes of both men and women. Each person will usually wear long flowing very loose garments. They are usually covered from head to toe. Shorts, Jeans, or tight clothing is a sign of disrespect. This is in accord of the hijab custom that believes in modesty.

      Men mainly wear an ankle length cotton shirt called thwab with a check-shirt which is known as the keffiyeh or a ghutra. For women it is compulsory to wear a niquab, which is a veil. It is very important to uphold to these traditions, even if you are a tourist. Saudi Arabians see it as a sign of disrespect if when visiting their country your actions both physically and mentally don't somewhat reflect their ways of life.

      Traditionally men and women in Saudi Arabia do not date. Marriage is something that is usually arranged by the couples parents. Wedding Parties are usually separate for the bride and groom, they often take place at different locations and usually on different nights.

      Funerals in Saudi Arabia as with most other religions traditionally have observances after death, however in Saudi Arabia are a person has passed their body is bathed three times and after the third bathing is scented with oil. While the bathing process is taking place prayers are said. After this process is completed the body is then wrapped in white shroud. No embalming materials are used, therefor burials usually occur the same day depending upon the time of death. The dead are buried five to six feet deep, with their head facing Mecca.

Tombs and headstones are prohibited. Through out the service very often god is praised and forgiveness is asked for the deceased’s sins. One very known and recited prayer is as follows:

"Allah, do forgive him and have mercy on him and make him secure and overlook his shortcomings, and bestow upon him an honored place in Paradise, and make his place of entry spacious, and wash him clean with water and snow and ice, and cleanse him of all wrong as Thou dost clean a piece of white cloth of dirt, and bestow upon him a home better than him home and family better than him family and a spouse better than his spouse, and admit him into Paradise, and shield him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire"

      The traditional role of women is much different then the role of women in America. Women are allowed one husband, while men are allowed up to four.  By law women are not allowed to use any of form transportation (car, bicycle, or public transportation) if they are not accompanied by a male escort. Women are not allowed out of the country unless they are given verbal permission from their father or husband.