Djibouti
Culture
A nice porridge from Djibouti.
Food
Livestock provides the main dietary dish for djiboutians. Sheeps and goats provide common meals, while beef is reserved for only special occasions. A favorite plate is the thick flatbread made from wheat that is eaten with a sause made from ghee (butter) and red pepper. Djiboutians also enjoy porridge, which they make with papyrus root and milk. Many djiboutians follow the islamic dietary laws that includes the banning of eating pork and drinking alcohol.
A thick flatbread from Djibouti.
An example of a Djibouti style plasterwork.
A basket made by Djiboutians.
Art
Many of Djibouti's art was influenced by Somali, Afar, French, Arab, and Ottoman culture. Most of the oldest art is found on drawings located on rocks. Most of the largest pieces of art is architecture, for example buidings, they are Arab influenced styles. Plasterwork is commonly use for ceilings, walls, and moldings. Their plasterwork designs are tessellations, highly decorated with patterns filled with islamic symbology. Djiboutians art uses geometrical shapes in it's designs, motifs, and bright colors, Djiboutians are very skilled at woven arts, creating baskets, mats, and other types of textile work.
An example of a oud.
Music
The djboutians music culture vary depending on the ethic group. The djiboutians music involves folksongs that were pentatonic (five pitches per octave). The djiboutians also practice oral literature, which included poems, folk tales, myths and curative chanting. Djiboutians used other instruments in the music including oud, bowl lyre, and tanbura.
An example of the bowl lyre.
Induction ceremony of the Sultan of Gobaad near Dikhil, Djibouti.
Customs of Djiboutians clothing.
Traditions/Customs
Traditionally, djiboutian men wear macawiis around their waist. Women traditionally wear diracs, long diaphanous voile dresses. Married women wear garbascars or large shawl to cover upper body. Djiboutians wear arabian jewelry pieces. Women wear gilbabs and men wear jellabiyas. The major religion is Islam. The most popular and holy place for muslims is the Goda Mountains, where the tomb of Sheikh Abu Yazid resides.
