- Dewaniya
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The Dewaniya, mistakenly and commonly called Diwaniya, has existed in Kuwait since time immemorial. In the old City of Kuwait it was the reception area where a man received his business colleagues and male guests. Today the term refers both to a reception hall and the gathering held in it, and visiting or hosting a dewaniya is an indispensable feature of a Kuwaiti man’s social life. Some claims that the term originally referred to the section of a bedouin tent where the menfolk and their visitors sat apart from the family.
Dewaniya became a fundamental part of Kuwaiti life[1]. Hence, it has become a mark in their traditional daily life.
Contents
Definition
The Dewaniya has its tradition in the Arabian Majlis where people would gather or congregate to discuss the pertinent issues of the day. While the Majlis may be described as more akin to a town hall in terms of function and formality, the Dewaniya evolved as a more regular and casual gathering place for families, tribes and any stranger that cared to attend.
As a social event, a Dewaniya takes place in the evening in a special room or annex which is usually separate from the rest of a man’s house. Only men are present and they sit around on soft benches or cushions, conversing casually, smoking, nibbling snacks and relaxing over beverages such as tea, coffee or the like. Relatives and friends come and go throughout the evening. The host’s job is to be hospitable and entertain his guests.
Origin
"Dewaniya" derives from Persian, "di:wa:n," meaning 'magistrate, minister of state' or the derived form "dewa:na:," meaning a 'civil court of law." The contemporary form has come to mean a well-known place were people, traditionally men only, can meet to discuss political issues and other sociopolitical issues. One well-known Dewan is the Prime Minister of India's Dewan [2] [3].
Additionally, Dewan is an Arabic term of Persian origin. The original meaning may refer to a "bundle (of written sheets)", hence "book", especially "book of accounts," and hence "office of accounts," "custom house," "council chamber". The meaning divan "long, cushioned seat" is due to such seats having been found along the walls in Middle Eastern council chambers.
Purposes
The Dewaniya served an important purpose in the development of Kuwait over the last 250 years by facilitating quick communication and consensus building among other things. There are many type of Dewaniya's that have evolved from the original archetype and they differ only in terms of the groups they serve and the level of formality.
The Dewaniya's are the core of Kuwait’s social, business and political life, the places where topics of interest are discussed, associates introduced, alliances formed, and similar networking activities undertaken. Formal Dewaniya's may be convened to discuss particular topics, sometimes with invited guest speakers. They are also called for particular purposes, such as election campaigns. Formal Dewaniya's are the root of Kuwait’s consensual political system.
Business
Many people were wondering how does major deals are closed or initiated in Dewaniya, and why does that happens in Kuwait specifically.
Basically, as Dewaniya being place where prominent people in the Government from Ministers, Chairmen of Public companies, prominent people in Oil sector, to undersecretaries. And Businessmen, Banks chairmen, CEO's of multinational corporations, they all receive their guests weekly or monthly in their family dewan or private dewaniya.
People who visits a decision maker in his dewaniya, it force him by tradition to gently listen and be open to what they say. Which gives a big chance for people who has a good proposal to deliver a proper value proposition in the offering, which then ends up with another formal meeting at the decision maker office to do the formalities. And also considering the place to be the best to build connections.
As a conclusion, Dewaniya is a place were communication is done with a very proper attention from the decision maker.
Types
Dewaniya has several types, private, public and family. The private is just for close friends who usually gather daily and public are fixed with a weekly timing where anyone can visit, while family dewaniya, is an official gathering of prominent family, where all people can come and meet the family members.
Family Dewan or Dewaniya
This was the original form of the Dewaniya that started when each family (only a handful in the 18th century) very known as the Family Dewan would set up an extension to their main home to host guests and discuss important issues. This would also be the place that wedding ceremonies and funeral rites would be held for the male side of the family. The elders of the family are usually in attendance and sit at the head of what is usually a U-shaped hall to welcome guests and lead the discussions.
Political Dewaniya
These Dewaniya's are a relatively recent development of the 20th century when Kuwaitis started seeking political rights and more representation in a system that had become more skewed towards an absolutist rule by the Emir in contrast to the more participatory consensual system that existed earlier. Its considered as a public Dewaniya.
Casual Dewaniya
These Dewaniya's are usually organized by groups of friends of the same age group on one member's property. This type is usually the most relaxed with participants playing cards Janjifa like Koutbo6, smoking Shisha (sometimes called the Hookah) or watching football games and other sports. Its considered as a private Dewaniya.
Times
Most Dewaniya's start after the sunset till midnight the whole year round and recently it started having a break in summer.
S.No Type proximate visitors Time 1 Dewan 50 - 500 After Isha prayer, to 11pm 2 Family 20 - 100 After Isha prayer, to 11pm 3 Political 20 - 100 After Isha prayer, to 11pm 4 Casual 10 - 30 5pm to 11pm 5 Private 5 - 20 door is open 24/7 6 Youth 5 - 20 door is open 24/7 Janjifa
In Dewaniya, many cards games are played. To mention some of for reference:
S.No Name Players Played online 1 Kout 4 , 6 Koutbo6.com, Kout & iKout (AppStore) 2 Hand 2 - 5 Koutbo6.com 3 Sebeita 4 - 6 Koutbo6.com 4 Nithala 4 Koutbo6.com 5 Trix 4 Koutbo6.com, Trix (AppStore) 6 Balot 4 Koutbo6.com, Kammelna.com Business & Technology usage
Because most Kuwaiti men and youth are tied-up with a Dewaniya, it was a must from large corporations[4] and multinationals to introduce services like Dewaniya SMS from Zain Kuwait. The idea is to keep the Dewaniya members in-touch with each other using the SMS, and keeping everyone up-to-date with the activities going on in the group.
Other companies are packaging its products to be sold for Dewaniya's specially food & beverage companies[5] Because these are a big market that they can tap in by their offers.
The more technology advances, we see Dewaniya members getting in touch with each other by creating a micro version of their Dewaniya on BlackBerry Messenger Groups, Beluga, private Facebook groups, and Twitter. To share what needs an instant update for all the Dewaniya members like invitations, or funerals.
Similar Structures in the Arab Region
The rest of the Arabian Peninsula has a related but different tradition that consists of more formal congregations usually under the patronage of the local ruler of a tribe, region or nation. These tend to be highly formal and structured with a set time, place and clear protocols more like royal courts than simple gatherings. Conversation is usually restricted to what the head of the Dewaniya deems important and only among the most senior of guests.
Sources and references
Categories:- Kuwaiti culture
- Kuwaiti society
- Arabic culture
- Titles in India
- Executive ministers
- Heads of government
- Heads of state
- History of medieval India
- British rule in India
- Titles in Pakistan
- Titles of national or ethnic leadership
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