Understanding Emirati Culture: Emirati Breakfast

Khaleej Times

25 Oct 201802:39

Summary

TLDRThe Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding offers an open-door policy, encouraging visitors to ask questions to learn about the local culture. With only 14% of the population being native, maintaining cultural heritage is vital. The center emphasizes teaching Arabic to the youngest members of the family. The script introduces traditional Emirati breakfast, including dango (chickpeas), vermicelli with omelette, homemade bread, and date-based desserts without added sugar or coloring. The session concludes with an invitation to follow SMCC on social media for further questions, showcasing the importance of cultural exchange and hospitality.

Takeaways

🌐 The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCC) promotes open dialogue and learning about the local culture.
🗣️ Visitors are encouraged to ask any questions to foster a deeper understanding of the culture and experiences of the United Arab Emirates.
👶 The culture is kept alive by teaching the youngest members of the family, starting with the Arabic language.
🍲 The script introduces a traditional breakfast dish called 'dango', which is made with chickpeas, vermicelli, and an omelette.
🥞 Another dish mentioned is homemade bread called 'Chabad', which is similar to pancakes.
🍅 The breakfast also includes a dish with normal eggs, tomatoes, and possibly different spices.
🍮 For dessert, there is 'dips', which is a serum made from dates without added sugar, caramel, or coloring.
🍊 'Game art' is another part of the breakfast, which has saffron added, giving it an orange color on the inside.
🥣 'Nagama' is served with date syrup on top, completing the traditional breakfast spread.
👋 The session ends with an invitation for further questions through SMCC's social media channels, emphasizing ongoing cultural exchange.
🙏 The speaker expresses gratitude for the visit and participation in the cultural understanding session.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding?
-The purpose of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is to promote open dialogue and foster a deeper understanding of Emirati culture through open doors and open minds.
How does the Centre aim to keep Emirati culture alive among its people?
-The Centre keeps Emirati culture alive by teaching the youngest members of the family to serve people with traditional Arabic hospitality, ensuring the culture is passed down through generations.
What is the significance of the percentage breakdown mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that Emiratis make up 14% of the population, with 40% being other nationalities and 'X facts' accounting for 86%. This likely refers to the demographic composition and the importance of cultural exchange and understanding.
What is the first dish introduced in the breakfast presentation, and what is it called in Arabic?
-The first dish introduced is called 'dango' in Arabic, which is known as chickpeas in English.
What are the ingredients of the dish that is a mix of vermicelli and omelette?
-The dish consists of vermicelli noodles mixed with a regular omelette, tomatoes, and possibly different spices.
What is the name of the homemade bread served during the breakfast, and how is it similar to pancakes?
-The homemade bread is called 'Chabad', which is very similar to pancakes in texture and appearance.
What is the dessert served, and what is unique about its preparation?
-The dessert is called 'dips', which is made from the serum of dates with no added sugar, caramel, or coloring.
What does 'game art' refer to in the context of the breakfast presentation?
-In the script, 'game art' seems to be a mispronunciation or misunderstanding. It might refer to 'jameed', a type of hard, dried yogurt that is a traditional Emirati food.
What is the significance of adding saffron to the 'game art' dish?
-Adding saffron to the 'game art' dish gives it an orange color and imparts a unique flavor, which is a characteristic of traditional Emirati cuisine.
How do they enhance the flavor of the 'nagamma' during the breakfast presentation?
-The flavor of the 'nagamma' is enhanced by adding date syrup on top, which is a traditional way to complement the dish.
What are the phrases used in Arabic and French to wish someone an enjoyable meal during the breakfast presentation?
-In Arabic, the phrase used is 'Bellavia', and in French, it is 'Bon Appétit', both of which are used to wish someone an enjoyable meal.
How can attendees of the session follow up with further questions or engage with the Centre after the session?
-Attendees can follow the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding on social media, where they can post their questions and expect to receive answers.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to SMCC and Cultural Preservation

The speaker warmly welcomes the audience to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Culture Understanding, emphasizing the center's mission of open dialogue and cultural exchange. The center aims to educate visitors about their culture, particularly as it relates to the local population, which is only 14% of the total demographic. The speaker explains that the culture is kept alive by teaching the youngest family members Arabic traditions, such as serving people with traditional dishes. The introduction concludes with a brief mention of the breakfast that will be served, setting the stage for the cultural experience to follow.

🍽️ Breakfast Presentation at SMCC

The speaker proceeds to describe the traditional breakfast dishes that are part of the cultural experience at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Culture Understanding. The first dish introduced is 'dango,' which is chickpeas served in a traditional manner. Next, the speaker mentions a dish of vermicelli mixed with an omelette, highlighting the use of different spices that give it a unique flavor. Home-made bread called 'Chabad,' which is similar to pancakes, is also part of the meal. The dessert, 'dips,' is made from the serum of dates without any added sugar, caramel, or coloring. Another dish, 'game art,' is described as small bites with saffron, which gives it an orange color when bitten into, and it is served with date syrup on top. The meal is concluded with a wish for the guests to enjoy their food in both Arabic and French, symbolizing the center's commitment to cultural understanding and exchange.

📢 Closing Remarks and Invitation for Further Engagement

As the session nears its end, the speaker invites any remaining questions from the audience and encourages them to follow the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Culture Understanding on social media for further interaction and questions. The speaker expresses gratitude for the visitors' participation and thanks them for attending the session. The closing is marked with a musical note, signifying the end of the session while leaving a positive and inviting impression for future engagement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sheikh Mohammed Center for Culture Understanding

The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Culture Understanding (SMCC) is an institution dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and dialogue. It is central to the video's theme as it represents the host organization that is facilitating the cultural exchange. The script mentions it as the place where the session takes place and where further questions can be posted on social media.

💡Open Doors Open Minds

This phrase encapsulates the philosophy of the SMCC, emphasizing the importance of openness and curiosity in cultural exchange. It is a key concept in the video, as it sets the tone for the session, encouraging participants to ask questions and learn more about the culture and experiences of the host country.

💡Culture

Culture is a broad term that refers to the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or social group. In the video, culture is the main focus, with the SMCC aiming to keep it alive through education and sharing of experiences, as mentioned in the script.

💡Arabic Ogawa

Arabic Ogawa is a term used in the script to refer to a traditional method of serving people, likely related to hospitality or etiquette in Arabic culture. It is an example of the cultural practices that the SMCC aims to preserve and pass on to younger generations.

💡Dango

Dango is a dish mentioned in the script, which in Arabic refers to a dish made of chickpeas. It represents one of the traditional foods being highlighted in the video, showcasing the culinary aspect of the culture being discussed.

💡Vermicelli

Vermicelli is a type of pasta that is thin like a thread, often used in various cuisines. In the context of the video, it is mixed with an omelette and served as part of the breakfast, demonstrating the fusion of traditional and possibly other culinary influences.

💡Homemade Bread

The script refers to homemade bread called Chabad, which is likened to pancakes. This highlights the importance of homemade food in the culture and serves as an example of the traditional food items being shared during the session.

💡Dips

Dips, as mentioned in the script, is a dessert made from the serum of dates without added sugar, caramel, or coloring. It exemplifies the natural and traditional sweets of the culture, emphasizing the use of local ingredients and minimal processing.

💡Najm

Najm, which translates to 'star' in English, is a term used in the script to describe a dish with saffron added, giving it an orange color inside. This term illustrates the incorporation of traditional spices and ingredients in the local cuisine.

💡Bellavia

Bellavia is an Arabic phrase used in the script to wish guests to enjoy their food, similar to 'Bon Appetit' in French. It reflects the warm hospitality and the importance of sharing meals in the culture being discussed.

💡Social Media

The script encourages viewers to follow SMCC on social media for further questions and engagement. Social media serves as a modern platform for cultural exchange, allowing the SMCC to reach a wider audience and continue the conversation beyond the physical session.

Highlights

Welcome to Sheikh Mohammed Center for Culture Understanding

Open doors, open minds as the signature of the center

Encouraging questions to learn and understand more about the culture

Only 14% of the population is native, with 40% being expatriates and 86% being other facts

Keeping culture alive by teaching the youngest family members Arabic

Introduction of the first dish, dango, which is chickpeas

Vermicelli mixed with omelette as a part of the breakfast

Homemade bread called Chabad, similar to pancakes

Dessert called dips, made from date serum without added sugar or coloring

Game art, small bites with saffron, resulting in an orange color inside

Date syrup added on top of nagamma as a part of the meal

Arabic breakfast greeting 'Bellavia' and French 'Bon Appetit'

Invitation to follow SMCC on social media for further questions

Opportunity to post questions on social media for potential answers

Thank you message for visiting Sheikh Mohammed Center for Culture Understanding

End of the session with music