Cultural & Heritage Tourism in Djibouti

A country where BREWING is the BARYCENTRE
Djiboutian culture draws its source from the ancestral nomadic origins of the di ff erent ethnic communities that make it up. This culture presents a wide range of folk repertoire including songs, poems and varied dances in which embrace and embrace epic and lyrical styles.

The perpetuation of this traditional heritage is a witness that one generation passes to another, the significance of this nomadic universe of the collective imagination begins in adolescence through an initiation into the various rites and rituals.

Certainly, this culture, based essentially on the oral tradition that literary and linguists call “Oraliture”, has been able to endure despite the pangs of sedentarization and the modernization of a pastoral-nomadic people since the dawn of time. It is practiced both in the bush and in urban areas. The extent of the cultural repertoire is confirmed during various cultural and social events, namely weddings, circumcisions, enthronement, etc.

Its geographical position gives it the status of a cultural crossroads, a country of mixing, in short the crucible of a plural culture with nomadic origins enjoying an oriental coloring and easily adapting to western modernity. A trinity which is the charm of our city life.

This cultural mix has forged this mosaic nation with legendary hospitality, highly tolerant, proud of its brave nomadic ancestors and confident in its destiny.

The Folklores
In the country, weddings are the best times and means for a total immersion in the extent and richness of Afar and Somali cultures savored to the rhythm of folk dances, “Daanto” “Sadehleh”, “Zeili’i”, “Wilwilleh »Among the Somalis. The “dabbal”, “Laalé”, “Keeke” or “sadda ‘” among the Afars, to name a few among a large inventory of folklore. These are dances which are both collective and mixed; poetry being composed often solo. During these folkloric events which consolidate the pact of social coexistence, one cannot remain insensitive to the elegance of the young girls, beauties of the desert with thin silhouettes and wasp waists draped in long multicolored dresses (Gaaryse , Kurta) and their pearl, gold and silver adornments (bila, Kuul).

Let us also evoke the liveliness, flexibility and agility of the brave warriors with protruding muscles, true aesthetes with marble bodies, maintaining a sustained pace and twirling in all directions. Weddings remain the only opportunities for relaxation after long days spent in search of the best pastures for their animals under a scorching sun.

In the mild coolness of the night to the chimes of the crickets, before the bride and groom return to their wedding mats once the dust raised by the folk dances settles and fades, the vibrations of the ground beneath the feet subside, then subside stop as soon as the first pale rays of a timid moon become perceptible.

Arts & Crafts
KNOW-HOW and nomadic dexterity
Leather, wood, palms, pearls, clay or even ceramics constitute the basis of craftsmanship mainly dominated by women.

It is an income-generating activity, a business for mothers providing for the needs of families. Experienced national craftsmen never miss the opportunity to participate in all fairs, exhibitions or forums where the display of their craft products varies and alternates between embroidery, tannery, basketry or pottery thus attracting a clientele in all directions. Local craftsmanship contributes to the embellishment and enhancement of folk outfits and accessories.

Gastronomy
Djiboutian gastronomy is a real culinary melting pot. Inventive, daring and intoxicating, Djiboutian cuisine is illustrated by the diversity of culinary traditions that it embodies. This unique gastronomy with multiple flavors has taken root through a rich culinary heritage, tinged with distant horizons. But it is in the subtle and controlled marriage of spices and aromatic herbs that this refined art draws all its letters of nobility. Culinary pleasures are endless in Djibouti. With its diverse cultural influences, Djibouti offers an eclectic mix of African, Asian and European flavors. An explosion of flavors and a feast for the eyes, Djibouti’s gastronomy is just like the country: colorful, spicy and exotic! Through the play of local cultural influences and the mixing of population, there is today in Djibouti a very large number of powdered spice blends very popular with all visitors. These mixtures, responsible for a large part of the pleasures of the table, easily accompany meat and fish.