Culture & Identity of Yemen
WARNING: Terrorist threats continue in Yemen, please read this travel warning before going!
Introduction
Life in Yemen is generally simple as over two thirds of the people live in rural areas. For much of history the geography has divided the people as people have relied on community, family, and religion for survival and today little has changed in this regard. Even today most of the population works in agriculture as people make a living off the land today just as they have in the past.
The week in Yemen is based on Islam as Friday, Islam's holy day, is off of work for the people. As there is little consistency in the country and from industry to industry, some people also have off of work Thursdays and most schools are off on Saturdays, but this varies. For the majority of the population, those working in agriculture, Friday is a day off, but the rest of the week is filled with work, often depending on the sun, weather, and seasons. For many of these people work is a family affair as in many families the men and boys will spend their time outside and the women and girls often spend their days in the home.
As many of the people have lived on the same lands as their ancestors, communities are closely woven together as neighbors help each other. Communities also often come together at mosque each Friday, bringing the communities even closer together.