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About Kuwait

Kuwait Foundation & History
Kuwait, founded in the northwestern part of the Arabian Gulf, dates back to 1613 AD, when a group of families and tribes emigrated to it, insightfully realizing the importance of its position and the advantages of the location to establish an entity distinguished by stability and prosperity. This entity immediately took its distinct political form.

Once Kuwaiti society had maintained stability for some time, and activities had spread on land and sea, there was a pressing need for leadership to which the people could look for social and political guidance and to represent them in their affairs with either neighboring communities or other foreign countries. A man from al-Sabah dynasty, distinguished by benevolence and righteousness, was chosen as chief. The government was established in this dynasty, the crown inherited by the most eminent, sound minded male among them. This tradition has continued till now.

The economic activities of Kuwait varied since it was a stop for caravans from Persia and Mesopotamia en-route to the eastern and interior parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Kuwait was also the sea route link between India, east Africa, Syria and Europe. The people turned to various maritime activities such as ship building, fishing, pearl diving, business and trading between Arabian Gulf ports and those overlooking the Indian Ocean.

It is unquestionable that the numerous economic activities on land and sea had a positive impact on Kuwaiti society. The Kuwaitis labored in construction and development and the values of cooperation, solidarity, responsibility, and commitment were firmly established in society. Inspired by their values and reassured through experience, consultation was deeply  ingrained in them as a guarantee of their unity and solidarity.

The discovery of oil and the accumulation of its revenue deepened cooperation among Kuwaitis; construction continued, public utilities were established, and modern facilities were developed. The government utilized the oil wealth to provide its people with whatever they required to fulfill their ambitions and aspirations. The images of establishments, foundations, facilities and utilities portrayed on this page are reflections of the spirit of the people of Kuwait and their political leadership which strives to develop, renew and implement all available facilities and potentialities to support Kuwaiti society to the utmost.

Kuwait has been keen not only to invest the accumulation of oil wealth for her people but to share it also with third world countries to give remarkable opportunities for the advancement of human wellbeing. Kuwait offered subsidies to countries burdened with poor and stagnant standards of living. The most distinctive characteristic of Kuwaiti aid is the absence of the strict conditions. The rate of Kuwaiti aid to its GDP reached 8% compared to 0.36% from its counterparts in industrial countries during the last three decades. Kuwaiti foreign aid was 27 times more than that in industrial countries. Moreover, Kuwait’s aid is hardly coupled with military or political conditions; it is humanitarian aid to alleviate human suffering.

Kuwait, while lending a benevolent hand to all peoples was stunned by the vicious Iraqi invasion against her which vandalized and devastated all its vital facilities; destroyed or damaged its historical, cultural and civilized landmarks; and violated human rights. Yet, by will of God, the determination of the Kuwaitis and the support of the Free World, the Iraqi invader was ousted, Kuwait was liberated, and Kuwaitis reconstructed their infrastructure anew. This is Kuwait: an oasis of freedom, a lighthouse of progress, a symbol of cooperation, and a pioneer in humanitarian aid.

Overview
Arab culture and traditions, anchored by Islam, are the secure foundations upon which the modern State of Kuwait is built. The metamorphosis in lifestyle brought about by the discovery of oil did not efface the identity of the people of Kuwait. The ravages brought by the Iraqi aggression also did not stifle the spirit of the Kuwaitis as they rebuilt their country in record time.

The State of Kuwait has always paid special attention to the preservation of its culture and heritage by maintaining monuments and preserving artifacts and historical documents. The National Museum is one of the 50 locations where these are housed. The destruction caused by the Iraqi troops created a heightened awareness among the people about the need to preserve and resurrect the art and craft of Kuwait. The new architecture of the city, which combines modern design with traditional art, reflects this awareness.

Kuwait has a large variety of customs and traditions, and this gives rise to a colourful and extensive culture, reflected in the Bedouin traditions, pearl diving and Al Sadu weaving. The people of Kuwait also have special love for the arts, be it literature, theatre, music, dance, films or contemporary art.

Meeting the People of Kuwait
The handshake is the most popular form of greeting in Kuwait. On a first meeting, the giving of a small symbolic gift is appreciated. Kuwaitis, like many Arabic people, enjoy entertaining guests away from the home. They place great importance on the family unit and the traditional values of hospitality, courtesy and respect. Hospitality in Kuwait is often portrayed through the serving of tea and coffee. Although Kuwaitis are keen to see their nation keep pace with modern times, they are also equally keen to safeguard their heritage, and so recent government initiatives have been undertaken to preserve the country’s historic sites and monuments.

Dress Codes
Kuwaitis place great importance on wearing their national dress of dishdashes, with the head covered by a white head cloth. Women traditionally wear yashmaks. Non-Muslim visitors to Kuwait dress modestly as a matter of respect. To a Muslim, exposed flesh is considered disrespectful; therefore the wearing of clothes that fully cover the body is always appreciated. Indeed, when the temperature rises, it pays to dress in cool layers.

Greeting
Kuwaitis traditionally greet each other by shaking hands and kissing cheeks. Traditionally men and women do not exchange more than a few words and possibly a handshake to greet each other in order to respect the privacy of the woman. However, it is common for women and men to kiss cheeks especially as relatives or close friends. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions such as asking about one’s health, that of their relatives, their jobs, etc. in order to relax the other person and give a sense of intimacy.

Arabic is the official language although English is very widely used. Kuwaitis do not expect westerners to know their language and there is generally little difficulty in making oneself understood in English. Although many Kuwaitis speak English, the learning and use of Arabic words or phrases is always appreciated, particularly those of courtesy and greeting.

Lifestyle
The lifestyle of Kuwait’s society must be understood within a framework of Muslim religion, Arabic tradition and local customs. The process of modernization has made inroads into certain aspects of housing, occupations, dress and handicrafts but other aspects of the Kuwaiti lifestyle have stood the test of time. The changes brought about by the discovery of oil and the subsequent modernization have not in any way undermined Kuwaiti people’s distinct identity.

Kuwait was never a colony and the Kuwaitis have always been free to manage their affairs among themselves as they see fit and develop their unique cultural characteristics in their own way. The Kuwaiti of the pre-oil era survived, in the harshness of the desert or sea, through a mix of finely honed skills and highly developed social organization based on family, can and tribe, which provided the economic and political support necessary for survival. In return for this support, the individual gave unquestioning service and loyalty to his group. This gave rise to clan based networks, which are still extremely strong and provide the basis of social relations between Kuwaitis today.

Global influence is most apparent in areas like Salmiya and Gulf Road where shopping complexes and restaurants are crowded on weekend nights. Kuwaiti women enjoy shopping at the new fancy malls as much as they do at the covered markets or ‘souks’. They wear western clothes or the ‘dara’a', just as the men choose between western wear and the ‘dishdasha’. Shopping for gold ornaments in the magnificently laid out markets is another favourite pastime of Kuwaiti women.

The Family and life within it
The pivot around which everything revolves continues to be the family. The family unit is the most important thing in Kuwaiti society. Arab names themselves contain a sort of genealogy. After the birth of a child, the parents are often referred to by derivatives of the child’s name: Abu Khalid is the “father of Khalid”, and Umm-Bader is the “mother of Bader”. The Kuwaiti family is generally very closed and private. It consists of a closely-knit extended family circle, some of whose members may be only distantly related. It is not unheard of for cousins to marry, and in fact it used to be the norm. Thus the family is a cohesive institution with individuals helping out with the different tasks within, supporting each other, rallying around in times of difficulty, and often pooling resources for business ventures or to overcome hardship. Gatherings and lunches with the extended family and friends are a regular affair. The men of the family and neighborhood socialize in the diwaniyas just as their forefathers did.

Kuwaitis love children. The traditional average family size is around ten. Males carry more prestige than females. Members of the older generation are accorded much respect and appreciated for their wisdom, for they represent an era lost to the present generation. The Kuwaiti child was taught from an early age to serve and protect older family members and also, to ensure cooperation between clans, not to embarrass the family, The degree, which a young Kuwaiti was successful in learning his role was reflected in the amount of face he earned.

The concept of face has the same meaning as respect and reputation in the west, except the face has intensity about it that is almost inconceivable to a westerner. But face accrues not only to the individual but also to the group, and a youth is considered mature once he view personal success as being synonymous with the success of the family or group. Face is expressed through hospitality, generosity and loyalty to family or particular group. A Kuwaiti spends his life building his personal and social face and the sense of face lies behind many social behaviors in Kuwait.

The exemplary lifestyle of Kuwaiti society is a blend of the old and the new, of  modernity and tradition.

The Cuisines Of Kuwait
The polyethnic diversity of the population is the reason that a vast range of foodstuff is available in Kuwait. The staples of the Arabian, Western, Indian and Far Eastern diets are sold in the supermarkets. Small groceries supply the soul foods of Arabia and the Eastern Mediterranean, Pakistan, Baluchistan, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand-everything from fragrant rice to fermented fish. This phenomenal choice is reflected on private dinner tables and in Kuwait’s innumerable restaurants. Kuwait is a food lover’s paradise.

Home cooking and partying play an important part in the social life of expatriates. This may be due to the emphasis on family life and the conservative nature of evening entertainment in Kuwait. But the culinary emphasis also arises from the abundance of freshly caught seafood and fresh vegetables and fruit available every day in the local markets. Kuwait borders the Gulf, and fish has been a mainstay of the Kuwaiti diet for centuries. From the bedouin tradition comes grilled, skewered meat, both cubed and ground. The Gulf Arabs played a key role in establishing the ancient trade routes that introduced spices from the East to Europe, and spices remain an important ingredient in Kuwaiti cuisine today.

Kuwaiti Food
Native cooking reflects Kuwaiti history, its tribes and immigrants, and its international desert and marine trading traditions. It is a unique m?lange of Bedouin, Persian, Indian and Eastern Mediterranean influences.

In the early tabeekh (Bedouin way of cooking), the whole meal is cooked in a single large pot over charcoal. Meat or fish, vegetables and spices are first browned at the bottom of the pot. Rice or wheat and water are then added, and the pot is covered and left to simmer for some time. This method is still used in Kuwaiti homes to make meat porridges and some traditional prawn and vegetable dishes. In a more complicated method known as marag, which was introduced under Indian and Persian influences, the meal is also cooked in a large pot, but the ingredients are first fried or boiled separately before being combined and steamed together. Various kinds of fish and meat marags are very popular in home and diwaniyahs.

To satisfy the sophisticated native palate, savoury dishes must be spiced and the blending of spices is a highly-sophisticated local art form. However, no two chefs in Kuwait will agree on the exact blend of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper and paprika found in Baharat, the most common spice-mix.

VISAS
There are two basic types of visas, a visit visa and a residence visa.

Application for a Visit Visa
Visit visas and entry permits are valid for entry within 90 days of issue and then for a stay of up to 90 days only after entry. Entry permits are free.A visitor to Kuwait must be sponsored by a Kuwaiti individual or company, or a resident foreigner who is a relative of the visitor. The visa application is made by the sponsor who is responsible for the visitor while he or she is in Kuwait.

To obtain a visit visa for a business visitor, a Kuwaiti sponsor or company will require:
- visa application and security form completed by the sponsor
- copy of the visitor’s passport
- copy of the sponsor’s signature as registered for business purposes
- copy of the letter of invitation from the sponsor to the business visitor stating the
purpose of the visit

To obtain a visit visa for a relative, a resident foreigner will require:
- visa application and security form completed by the sponsor
- copy of the visitor’s passport
- original and copy of the sponsor’s passport
- original and copy of the sponsor’s civil ID
- original and copy of the sponsor’s work permit (private sector employees)
- recent salary certificate from the sponsor’s employer
- authenticated proof of the family relationship

Normally a visitor goes to a Kuwaiti embassy to have his visa processed and his passport stamped before traveling to Kuwait. However a Kuwaiti sponsor can use a faxed copy of the visitor’s passport to obtain the visa in Kuwait. The sponsor then faxes a copy of the visa to the visitor and meets him at the airport with the original visa.   Either way, obtaining a visit visa takes about two working days. Hotels can also arrange visit visas for businessmen but they take about a week to do so, and, naturally enough, expect the visitor to stay with them on arrival.