1. The Diverse Cultural Characteristics of the People Who Live in Southwestern Asia Georgia Performance Standards SS7G8 a & b

2. Georgia Performance Standards SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group. b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds.

3. Review What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? What are some examples of each? What are some examples of each?

4. Ethnic group vs. Religious group People are members of an ethnic group based on distinctive characteristics such as race, religion, language, ancestry, culture or national origin. You are born into this and do not have a choice. People are members of an ethnic group based on distinctive characteristics such as race, religion, language, ancestry, culture or national origin. You are born into this and do not have a choice. People are members of a specific religious group by belief or choice. People are members of a specific religious group by belief or choice.

5. Ethnic Group vs. Religious Group It is important to note that “Muslim” and “Arab” are not the same thing. Muslims are followers of Islam, a religious group. Arabs are an ethnic group subdivided into many different tribes, clans, and families. It is important to note that “Muslim” and “Arab” are not the same thing. Muslims are followers of Islam, a religious group. Arabs are an ethnic group subdivided into many different tribes, clans, and families. While all Arab countries have Islam as their primary religion, not all Arabs are Muslims. Several Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, have many Arab Christian minorities. While all Arab countries have Islam as their primary religion, not all Arabs are Muslims. Several Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, have many Arab Christian minorities. Also, not all countries with large Islamic populations are Arab (Indonesia and Nigeria have high Muslim populations but are in SE Asia and Africa). Also, not all countries with large Islamic populations are Arab (Indonesia and Nigeria have high Muslim populations but are in SE Asia and Africa).

6. Arab العرب The majority of people in the Middle East are Arabs, an ethnic group who speak Arabic as a native language and identify themselves as Arabs. The majority of people in the Middle East are Arabs, an ethnic group who speak Arabic as a native language and identify themselves as Arabs. Traditionally lived on Arabian peninsula, but with the spread of Islam, more than 250 million Arabs live all over the world today (in Northern Africa, Canada, Europe, and the United States) Traditionally lived on Arabian peninsula, but with the spread of Islam, more than 250 million Arabs live all over the world today (in Northern Africa, Canada, Europe, and the United States) Most Arabs practice Islam (Arabic is the official language of the Qu’ran), but small numbers of Arabs practice other religions. Most Arabs practice Islam (Arabic is the official language of the Qu’ran), but small numbers of Arabs practice other religions.

7. Kurd Originated as a semi-nomadic, tribal people. Originated as a semi-nomadic, tribal people. They speak their own language (Kurdish) and have their own history, music, literature, and traditions. They speak their own language (Kurdish) and have their own history, music, literature, and traditions. They do not have their own nation-state, but are instead spread across the mountains of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey (1/5 of Turkey’s population). Their attempts to create an official country of Kurdistan have been strongly resisted by those countries. They do not have their own nation-state, but are instead spread across the mountains of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey (1/5 of Turkey’s population). Their attempts to create an official country of Kurdistan have been strongly resisted by those countries. Kurdish peoples face discrimination and human rights violations in these countries. Kurdish peoples face discrimination and human rights violations in these countries.

8. Kurd Most Kurds today are Sunni Muslim, but it was once made up of mixture of different religions. Most Kurds today are Sunni Muslim, but it was once made up of mixture of different religions. Kurdish Muslims are usually less strict about certain Muslim practices. Kurdish Muslims are usually less strict about certain Muslim practices. Example—fewer laws for how Kurdish women should dress than there is for Iranian and Arab women Kurds share many aspects of their culture with Iranians. Kurds share many aspects of their culture with Iranians.

9. Kurdistan 15 million-Turkey 6.5 million-Iran 5.5 million-Iraq 1 million-Syria Less than ½ million in Armenia and Georgia

10. Persian Descended from a different group than Arabs and Kurds-ancestors were Indo- Europeans from Central Europe and Western Russia. Descended from a different group than Arabs and Kurds-ancestors were Indo- Europeans from Central Europe and Western Russia. Lived in Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7 th Century Lived in Iran before the arrival of Islam in the 7 th Century Iran was known as Persia until WWI. Iran was known as Persia until WWI. World population: approximately 55 million- mostly in Iran (make up about half of Iran’s current population) World population: approximately 55 million- mostly in Iran (make up about half of Iran’s current population) The Persian language (Farsi) is one of the world's oldest languages still in use today. The Persian language (Farsi) is one of the world's oldest languages still in use today.

11. Persian Most Persians in Iran are Shia Muslims. Most Persians in Iran are Shia Muslims.Shia MuslimsShia Muslims Persian women have faced many challenges as a result of strict religious practices. Persian women have faced many challenges as a result of strict religious practices. Over the past 40 years, Persian women have increased their freedoms Over the past 40 years, Persian women have increased their freedoms Persian art and architecture is well known. Persian art and architecture is well known. Many consider Persian rugs to be among the finest in the world. Many consider Persian rugs to be among the finest in the world.

12. Persian Persian mosque Traditional Persian rugs

13. Question Which is TRUE of the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? A. An ethnic group can have members of different races, but a religious group can’t B. All members of a religious group worship the same god; members of an ethnic group may have different religions C. Members of religious groups may have different religious beliefs; ethnic group members have the same religious beliefs D. An ethnic group has a common race or culture, but not a common religion; religious groups have a common race or culture and religion.

14. Question Which is TRUE of the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group? A. An ethnic group can have members of different races, but a religious group can’t B. All members of a religious group worship the same god; members of an ethnic group may have different religions C. Members of religious groups may have different religious beliefs; ethnic group members have the same religious beliefs D. An ethnic group has a common race or culture, but not a common religion; religious groups have a common race or culture and religion.

15. Question Which ethnic group is the most numerous in SW Asia? A. Jews B. Kurds C. Arabs D. Persians

16. Question Which ethnic group is the most numerous in SW Asia? A. Jews B. Kurds C. Arabs D. Persians

17. Question What ethnic group lives in the mountains of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria? A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

18. Question What ethnic group lives in the mountains of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria? A. Jews B. Persians C. Kurds D. Arabs

19. Other Ethnic Groups in the Middle East… Berber Berber Druze Druze Bedouin Bedouin

20. Berber Live in mountainous region of N. Africa, west of the Nile River (mostly Morocco and Algeria) Live in mountainous region of N. Africa, west of the Nile River (mostly Morocco and Algeria) In many North African countries, personal choice dictates whether a person identifies with Berber or Arab communities. In many North African countries, personal choice dictates whether a person identifies with Berber or Arab communities. Berbers are mostly Sunni Muslim, but before adhering to Islam, most Berber groups were Christians. Berbers are mostly Sunni Muslim, but before adhering to Islam, most Berber groups were Christians. Political tensions have arisen between some Berber groups and North African governments over the past few decades, partly over linguistic and cultural issues; for instance, in Morocco, giving children Berber names was banned. Political tensions have arisen between some Berber groups and North African governments over the past few decades, partly over linguistic and cultural issues; for instance, in Morocco, giving children Berber names was banned. Morgan Freeman - Recent DNA tests link his ancestry to the Tuareg of Northwest Africa. Morgan Freeman - Recent DNA tests link his ancestry to the Tuareg of Northwest Africa. Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman

21. Druze Total population 750,000 to 2,000,000 Total population 750,000 to 2,000,000 Most live in in the mountainous villages of Lebanon, Syria and Israel. Most live in in the mountainous villages of Lebanon, Syria and Israel. The Druze faith began in 1017 A.D. in Egypt as a movement that deified Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, considering him a manifestation of God, opposed the Ramadan fast and prohibited the hajj to Mecca, They still await his second coming. The Druze faith began in 1017 A.D. in Egypt as a movement that deified Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, considering him a manifestation of God, opposed the Ramadan fast and prohibited the hajj to Mecca, They still await his second coming. Oppressed by Shiite majorities, the Druze sought refuge in the mountains of Syria and Lebanon (they keep their religious practices secret). Oppressed by Shiite majorities, the Druze sought refuge in the mountains of Syria and Lebanon (they keep their religious practices secret). Women are believed to be spiritually superior to men. Women are believed to be spiritually superior to men.

22. Picture of Druze Men Left: man in modern dress Right: man in traditional dress

23. Bedouin Arabic word that means “desert dweller.” Arabic word that means “desert dweller.” Live in North Africa and Saudi Arabia, less than 10% of Middle East population Live in North Africa and Saudi Arabia, less than 10% of Middle East population Almost all are Muslims who speak Arabic. Almost all are Muslims who speak Arabic. Traditionally nomads-avoid farming or any kind of settled life. They prefer to herd animals such as camels, sheep, and goats. Bedouins generally travel in extended family units headed by a sheikh, a position handed down from father to eldest son. They generally live in tents so they can move easily. Traditionally nomads-avoid farming or any kind of settled life. They prefer to herd animals such as camels, sheep, and goats. Bedouins generally travel in extended family units headed by a sheikh, a position handed down from father to eldest son. They generally live in tents so they can move easily. Now live in cities Now live in cities Known for their music and dress Known for their music and dress

24. Bedouin Bedouin woman in Jerusalem Traditional Bedouin

25. Middle Eastern Culture Family important part of M.E. culture: Arabic honorific names: A man may be called Ibn ("son of") followed by his father's name or Abu ("father of") followed by his child's name. important part of M.E. culture: Arabic honorific names: A man may be called Ibn ("son of") followed by his father's name or Abu ("father of") followed by his child's name. In traditional Arab societies the family unit is an extended family -- cousins, grandparents, second cousins, cousins-in-law, nieces, nephews, and more -- all living together, in rural areas particularly. In traditional Arab societies the family unit is an extended family -- cousins, grandparents, second cousins, cousins-in-law, nieces, nephews, and more -- all living together, in rural areas particularly.Westernization Today, one might see young people clad in jeans and T-shirts that advertise their fondness for Britney Spears or Titanic walking down the same street as their peers who are wearing traditional hijab or galibiyas. Today, one might see young people clad in jeans and T-shirts that advertise their fondness for Britney Spears or Titanic walking down the same street as their peers who are wearing traditional hijab or galibiyas.hijab Problem: how much Western culture and technology can and should be adopted before such influences begin to compromise their culture, traditions, and identity? Problem: how much Western culture and technology can and should be adopted before such influences begin to compromise their culture, traditions, and identity?Religion Shops in different neighborhoods close down on Fridays for the Muslim holy day, Saturdays for the Jewish Sabbath, and Sundays for the Christian day of rest. Shops in different neighborhoods close down on Fridays for the Muslim holy day, Saturdays for the Jewish Sabbath, and Sundays for the Christian day of rest. Map: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demo.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demo.html Graphs: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html

26. Music and Literature in the Middle East Islam-singing is frowned upon as a secular activity The highest level of disapproval extends to popular music, and especially that used primarily for dancing (including the accompaniment for belly dancing). Islam-singing is frowned upon as a secular activity The highest level of disapproval extends to popular music, and especially that used primarily for dancing (including the accompaniment for belly dancing). Israel more modern and western in music, art, and literature. Still a focus on Biblical or ancient Hebrew books and music Israel more modern and western in music, art, and literature. Still a focus on Biblical or ancient Hebrew books and music

27. Middle Eastern Musical Instruments OUD SITAR NEY