Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Physical signs of the Iraqi invasion are hard to find in today's Kuwait. Gleaming shop-
ping malls, new hotels and four-lane highways are all evidence of Kuwait's efforts to put
the destruction behind it. However, the emotional scars have yet to be healed, particularly
as hundreds of missing prisoners of war are yet to be accounted for, despite the fall of
Saddam Hussein.
Kuwait After the Demise of Saddam Hussein
In March 2003 the Allied invasion of Iraq threw the country into paralysing fear of a re-
turn to the bad old days of 1990, and it was only with the death of Saddam Hussein (he
was hanged on 30 December 2006) that Kuwaitis have finally been able to sigh with re-
lief. Without having to look over its shoulder constantly, Kuwait has lost no time in for-
ging ahead with its ambitious plans, including that of attracting a greater number of re-
gional tourists. The annual Hala Shopping Festival in February is proving a successful
commercial venture, attracting visitors from across the region, and resorts offer R & R
mostly to the international business community. More significantly, cross-border trade
with Iraq (particularly of a military kind) has helped fuel the economic boom of this dec-
ade, a boom barely impacted by the global recession.
DEWANIYA - KUWAITI GATHERINGS
An important part of life in Kuwait,
dewaniya
refer to gatherings of men who congregate to socialise, discuss a
particular family issue or chew over current affairs. The origins of these gatherings go back centuries but the
rituals remain the same - a host entertains family, friends or business acquaintances in a room specially intended
for the purpose at appointed times after sundown. Guests sit on cushions and drink copious cups of tea or coffee,
smoke, snack and come and go as they please.
In the early 20th century, on the edge of Souq Mabarakia, Mubarak the Great held a famous daily
dewaniya
,
walking each day from Sief Palace through the old souq to an unprepossessing building amid random coffee-
houses. Here he would sit incognito, talk to the people and feel the pulse of the street. Sitting near the same place
today (a rennovated traditional building without signage may mark the spot), with old men nodding over their
mint teas, city types trotting to work, merchants hauling their wares to Souq Marbarakia and groups of women
strolling in the shade, it's easy to see why he chose this spot.
For any male visitor wanting similarly to get under the skin of the local Kuwaiti culture, the
dewaniya
around
town offer the opportunity to rub shoulders with local dignitaries and generally form alliances.
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People & Society
