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One family is usually made up of an older couple, their sons,
daughters-in-law, and their grandchildren. Traditionally, daugh-
ters remain in the home until they marry. Then they move into the
home of their husband’s family. Sometimes other relatives also
might be a part of the household. The oldest male in that family is
the head of the whole family and has the final word on all decisions.
The father metes out the punishment, which can be severe, while
the mother tends to offer the love and compassion. As in other Arab
countries, Iraq’s is a highly
patriarchal
society in which the male
dominates, and male children are highly prized.
In spite of changing times, in many families the father decides
the activities of the members under him, even determining what
jobs his sons will have. Along with his wife, the father will pick out
a husband for their daughter. Marriage is much more of a contract
between two groups than the personal choice of two people,
because the marriage will affect each of the families involved.
Marriage is also still largely endogamous, especially outside large
cities, which means a preference for cousin marriage. This tends to
cement relations among clans and help provide order and self-
defense in the traditional absence of centralized state authority.
Iraqis, like other Arabs, have a special love for the Arabic
language. Since they believe the Qur’an represents the actual words
of God, and since it was given to Muhammad in the Arabic language,
it follows, then, that the original, classic Arabic is a divine language,
according to devout Muslims.
There are different Arabic
dialects
, however. Many say
that Arabic can only be com-
pared to music in the effect it has
on those who speak and listen to
it. In
The Arab Mind
Philip Hitti,
a leading Arab-American histori-
T
HE
P
EOPLE
95
Did You Know?
The words
alcohol, algebra, admiral, elixir
,
gauze
, and
magazine
all come from the Arabic
language.