Hw 34: Culture in Iraq

In Baghdad Burning, Riverbend shares Iraq's differences in their culture, such as the importance of date palms and the importance of their custom of evening tea. Date palms are found in Dhuluaya, which is an area north of Baghdad. "Orchards in many areas in Iraq--especially central Iraq--are almost like oases in the desert"(Riverbend 103). Palm trees are very useful to Iraqi people for things that come from dates. "Dibiss," which is a dark smooth syrup that comes from the date is a main source of sugar in their sweets. Another thing that is produced by dates, is "khal," which is vinegar. Many people use for seasoning their. "Areg," which is an alcoholic beverage, and lastly dates can be used as presents. Another custom that is important to the people of Iraq, is evening tea. "In the evening, most Iraqi families gather together for 'evening tea.' It's hardly as formal as it sounds...No matter how busy the day, everyone sits around in the living room waiting for tea"(Riverbend 108). It is also a time for the family to have a conversation together and talk about everything from war strategies to politics. What I found most interesting about their tea, was that they use tea leaves and not tea bags. If you have "teabag tea" they think of it as an insult.