Introduction
I want to compare my native Canadian cuisine with UAE to understand the differences. As an event, I chose Thanksgiving in Canada and Uraza Bayram in Eastern culture. The main tradition of Thanksgiving is to spend this day in the circle of family and close friends, to be with those to whom people are grateful for every minute of communication (Hepner, 2018). Uraza Bayram is the day when the holy month of Ramadan ends, with it, the strict fasting. On the day of Uraza Bayram, when the sun rises, all restrictions are lifted, and believers can eat any food allowed by Islam.
Interesting Facts about Cultural Background
Canada, like any other country, is culturally specific. Respect and equal treatment for everyone in the country are the norms for Canadians. It is not common in the country to judge other people by their clothes, car, or job. Canadians are incredibly polite, and apologizing is in their blood. In the country, it is customary to help each other and always be on the positive side. Canadians generally are not superstitious, but many still pay attention to the signs. Thirteen is considered an unlucky number, so most houses do not have a 13th floor, just as there is no 13th parking space. Many Canadians are serious believers in astrology, the pseudo-science of predicting the future by the position of celestial bodies. Most Canadian newspapers print a daily horoscope compiled by a certified astrologer.
There are many interesting cultural differences in the UAE. For example, an Orthodox Muslim must pray five times a day (Kulwicki, 2021). Traditionally, the handshake among Arabs is a symbol of special affection. Never refuse a treat when a guest comes to the house of an Arab; it can be perceived as an insult. A striking manifestation of national culture is traditional sports. A special place here belongs to falconry, which is still popular in Dubai. Family relationships in Arab countries are strictly regulated by Islamic law. During a conversation with a resident, one should not ask about his wife, as it can be perceived as an insult.
Two menus
On Thanksgiving, dishes such as roast turkey in cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and mashed potatoes are sure to be on the table. According to tradition, one of the main dishes of the first Thanksgiving was the roast turkey (Felter, 2020). The bird, found in the forests of North America, was beloved by the colonists because of its unpretentious eating habits, fast growth, and large size (Zhongming et al., 2021). Because the holiday is in the fall, pumpkin pie becomes the most relevant. Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that accentuates the flavor of the turkey.
On the holiday of Uzara Bayram, the dishes will be the meat of ram, pilaf, and dried fruits. The tradition of preparing mutton is related to the prophet Ibrahim, to whom Allah commanded to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Nasution, 2022). However, at the last moment, he chose a ram. Pilaf is usually cooked over a fire to enjoy its flavor. Since turkey is white meat, it would be perfectly paired with white wine. For lamb meat with a bright aroma but a delicate flavor, people should choose bright, berry, and juicy wines with delicate tannins: aged Malbec, Shiraz, or mature Bordeaux.
Conclusion
After making this comparison, I learned why it is common to eat turkey on Thanksgiving in Canada. An interesting fact for me was that consuming ram body parts in the UAE is related to the day of the week. I can identify two similarities and differences between the selected countries’ cultures. The first similarity may be that it is customary to eat meat on holidays, and the second may be that it is polite. The difference may be the attitude toward guests and the attitude toward women.
References
Felter, C. (2020). Home for Thanksgiving: How Holidays May Present a Public Health Threat.
Hepner, S. (2018). Thanksgiving Traditions-Shelby.
Kulwicki, A. D. (2021). People of Arab heritage. In Textbook for transcultural health care: A population approach (pp. 251-276). Springer, Cham. Web.
Nasution, M. S. A. (2022). The Sharia Concerning Hajj Based on Syar’u Man Qablana Approach (An Analysis of History and Maqasid Sharia). Al-Mashlahah Jurnal Hukum Islam dan Pranata Sosial, 10(01), 31-52.
Zhongming, Z., Linong, L., Xiaona, Y., Wangqiang, Z., & Wei, L. (2021). Celebrate Thanksgiving with Turkey… and Leftovers.