Culture

Qat

Qat is deeply rooted in Yemeni culture. It is a large, slow growing, evergreen shrub (Catha Edulis), reaching a height of between 1 and 5 metres, although in equatorial regions it may reach a height of 10 metres. This plant is widely cultivated in Yemen and is generally used for chewing. When Qat is swallowed, its leaf juice has a caffeine-like effect.

Jambiya

Jambiya is the Arabic term for dagger, but it is generally used to describe a specific type of dagger with a short curved blade that is worn on a belt. Although the jambiya is of Arab origin, it is mostly associated with people of Yemeni descent. Men above the age of 14 typically wear it as an accessory to their clothing, and it is said that a Yemeni man is incomplete without his jambiya.