Understanding Palestinian culture

Contents

Key historical events

Most of the population in Palestine are of Islam and Christianity religion.
Palestine is a Holy land in three of the world’s major religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Jerusalem is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque in Islam.
Christians in Palestine include the Eastern Orthodox Church, Greek Catholic, also Jews religion in Israeli part

Palestinian social customs and traditions are like those of other Arab countries and date back to when Palestine was a rural, agricultural society and life centred on the village and the farming calendar
There were a few small cities, like Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron and Gaza, that specialized in the production of goods

The top 10 foods in Palestine and Arab countries:

Knafeh is a pastry Palestinian desert dish
Jericho dates. Palestine’s Medjool dates are obscenely plump and sweet
Olive oil
Freekeh (green wheat, charred with a strong smoky flavourer)
Musakhan (Chicken with Sumac spice)
Taboon (Roast chicken baked in a special clay taboon oven)
Kebabs
Bulgur and a variety of spices. It is mostly eaten as a side dish and pita or markook bread is used for scooping the meat
Vine leaves
Maftoul (giant couscous)

Most Palestinians continue to be guided by Islamic principles and Arabic cultural values, such as hospitality, loyalty, honor and respect for elders
In the Palestinian territories 86% of the population is Arab, 13% is Jewish, 1% other
Palestinians place a high premium on generosity and hospitality
Palestinian homes are always ready to receive an unannounced guest with food, sweets and Arabic or Turkish coffee
Visits with family and neighbours are commonplace, often occurring

Palestinian culture consists of food, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, and comprising the traditions
Most Palestinians have lived in small villages, often among extended relatives
Land is especially valued and treasured in Palestinian culture

Palestinians’ social customs and traditions are similar to those of other Arab countries
Palestinian traditional clothing are the types of clothing historically and sometimes still presently worn by Palestinians
Until the 1940s, traditional Palestinian costumes reflected a woman’s economic and marital status and her town or district of origin, with knowledgeable observers discerning this information from the fabric and colours

The women in each region had their distinctive headdress
The women embellished their headdresses with gold and silver coins from their bride-wealth money. The more coins, the greater the wealth and prestige of the owner

In Palestine’s education system, compulsory basic education includes:

Grades 1 to 10 and this is divided into the preparatory stage (Grades 1 to 4) and the empowerment stage (Grades 5 to 10)
Secondary education (general secondary education and a few vocational secondary schools) covers Grades 11 and 12
For further information, please see our OMG on Palestinian Education