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General cultural information
Despite the region's rich tradition of music, literature and arts, the comparatively modern nation of Jordan could not boast much in the way of a distinctive arts and literature until the 1980s. Jordan's emergence as a centre of contemporary arts was recognised by UNESCO, which chose Amman as its Arab Cultural Capital for 2002.
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Do's and Don'ts
| Invited by locals | Hospitality is a cornerstone of Arab life. It is commonplace for Jordanian families, particularly desert dwellers, to welcome strangers into their home. The tradition developed from the harshness of desert life - without food, water and shelter from strangers, most desert travellers would die. Wherever you go in Jordan, you are likely to hear the word, 'Welcome', and you will frequently be invited into people's homes for food or a cup of tea. | | Clothing | Even in summer, evenings can be cool, so a sweater or shawl is advisable. Winters can be extremely cold, especially in Amman and the east; you will need a raincoat. Walking shoes are advisable since Petra (a city in Jordan) and most of the archaeological sites are unpaved and sandy. | | Tipping | Tipping is never required but always appreciated. In hotels and restaurants, 10% may be added to the bill, but a small tip for the waiters is appropriate. For hotel bellmen and porters, 2 or 1 Jordan Dollar, or US 2 Dollar is customary. In taxi's, pay the nearest round figure to the price on the meter. |
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Religion
The state religion is Islam, as indicated in the Constitution. The majority of the population (92%) are Sunni Muslim. Those include other non-Arab minorities such as the Circassians and the Chechen who, towards the end of the last century, fled their homeland in Caucasia. The rest of Jordan's population are Arab Christians or Armenians of different denominations whose freedom of worship, opinion and association are guaranteed by the constitution.
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Cultural attractions
| Datum | Evenement | | Ramadan | Not surprisingly, Jordanian holidays and festivals are mostly Islamic. The big one is Ramadan, a month where everyone fasts between sunrise and sunset to conform to the fourth pillar of Islam. If you're in Jordan at this time, be sensitive to the fact that most of the people around you are fasting. | | Eid Al Fitr | Ramadan ends with a huge feast, Eid al-Fitr, where everyone prays together, visits friends and gives presents. | | February | Eid al-Adah, held around February (though the month changes almost every year), is the other big feast of the year, and marks the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage to Mecca. | | 25 May | Independence day |
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