Published on 18 April 2013 by Amira Nasser in Culture
Layla Mohammad, an engineering student from Sana’a, decided to take off her niqab three years ago. The Islamic face covering, or veil, she says, was acting as a barrier between her and the outside world. It was preventing her from living a full life.
Published on 15 April 2013 by Amal Al-Yarisi in Culture
Local potters in Sana’a adjust to new styles and designs, customers drive change
Common Yemeni language becomes melting pot for regional dialectsPublished on 1 April 2013 by Amira Nasser in Culture
Mohammed Mansoor was born in Aden and moved to Sana’a when he was two. Though he’s now in his twenties, he still speaks like an Adeni, using regional slang from the South. But only in his home and with his family. On the street—with work colleagues and friends—he tries to speak more like the people around him.
Yemen’s antiques threatened by corruption, looters and smugglersPublished on 14 January 2013 by Amal Al-Yarisi in Culture
Yemen has long been noted for its unique history. Proof of this is the numerous historic relics found in museums and archaeological sites that piece together the country’s rich cultural heritage. However, questions are now being posed regarding how serious concerned authorities are about protecting the country’s antiques against saboteurs and merchants looking to earn a quick buck by smuggling and selling the historic valuables.
Published on 29 November 2012 by Ashraf Al-Muraqab in Culture
The short film, “Picture,” just won the second place prize at the Meknes International Festival for youth cinema in Morocco, and now the film has been invited to be screened at the Arabian Camera Festival in the Netherlands. However, the film’s director, Yemeni poet, Swsan Al-Ariqi, will be forced to submit and watch her film online, from home, because there is no staff at the Dutch Embassy to issue her a visa to the Netherlands.
Published on 29 November 2012 by Nadia Haddash in Culture
Although Yemen does not have the same restrictions for female drivers that other countries do, challenges and obstacles remain for women who get behind the steering wheel.
Published on 26 November 2012 by Amira Nasser in Culture
“All Together,” an operetta that offers social commentary focused on events relating to the 2011 revolution has captivated audiences for nearly two weeks. Showcased in various cultural centers and halls across Sana'a and sponsored by the Bader Development Organization, the performance uses artistic expression as a way of remembering and learning from a bloody and simultaneously peaceful period in Yemen's history.
Published on 26 November 2012 by Sadeq Al-Wesabi in Culture
For many years, anti-qat campaigners have been working to eradicate or at least curb the use of qat in Yemen. Despite several campaigns, initiatives, and associations started to raise awareness about the health hazards and the environmental impact of the leaf, Yemen remains inundated with consumption of the mild narcotic. However, over the last several months, the battle cries of anti-qat campaigns have noticeably increased.
Published on 22 November 2012 by Nadia Haddash in Culture
Several cafes have recently emerged in Sana’a, presenting a new cultural trend in Yemeni society. Frisco Cafe and Facebook Café are the newest to join the city’s coffee culture. Both cafes are now among the growing community of coffee shops, where a new tributary to the cultural movement of Yemen’s youth—male and female—are flocking.
Published on 19 November 2012 by Amira Nasser in Culture
Social leaders work throughout almost all neighborhoods in Yemen. They play a crucial role in representing residents regarding a range of issues, from renewing ID cards to solving minor neighborhood disputes or taking serious issues to the police.