Patchwork Designs >LIBYA PATCH PROGRAM

LIBYA PATCH PROGRAM
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Special thank you to Amina Derbi for helping us write this patch program.

1. Libya is considered to be part of the Maghreb region. Locate Libya on a map, identify its capital, and learn about its flag.

2. The main language spoken in Libya is Arabic. Arabic is spoken by 95% of Libyans, and the official language is called Modern Standard Arabic. There are multiple other small local languages spoken throughout the country, for example: the Berber languages, Tamahaq, and English. Learn some words or slang that is spoken in Libya.

3. Eid al-Fitr is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, which is the month of fasting. "Fitr" in Arabic means to not be fasting anymore. Eid al Adha is the holiday that happens after the pilgrims return from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and commemorates Abraham's obedience. Feb 17, 2011 is important to Libyans because it marks the day of the revolution that took place to overthrow the Ghadaffi dictatorship that had been instilled in 1969, making it a holiday. Learn about festivals in Libya, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival.

4. Popular dishes include Cous Cous with lamb, Mahshi (vegetables stuffed with lamb and rice mix), and Bazin. Bazin is a common dish, made with barley, plain flour, and is then formed into a round dome that is placed in the middle of most dishes. There is a special sauce put around the dough, generally made of onions, chopped lamb meat, and a variety of spices. Libyan tea is also served commonly, however is is very thick and different from regular British tea. Try a recipe, food, or drink from Libya

5. Folk dance in Libya is well known. One of the most popular forms of dance is preformed to Tuareg Music, which is very well liked. Line dancing is a popular form of dance in Libya. There is a lot of swinging, arm holding, and skipping accompanied with these dances. Dances are preformed mostly at ceremonies, such as marriage or birth ceremonies. Hagallah is a style that includes a single woman, preforming at a matrimonial ceremony. Members from the brides family can also partake in the dance. This style of dancing gives women the chance to show their beauty and charm. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance from Libya and try your own moves.

6. Legends and stories of Libya reflect the beautiful cultural backgrounds in Libya today. Folk Tales and nature poetry make up many of Libya's early literature. Some popularily used proverbs in Libya include: "al galb ghalib" means the "heart is winning". It is what you say to someone if you think they are beautiful on the outside because you are implying that they are beautiful on the outside because of what is on their inside (their heart/soul). Read a story, legend, OR listen to a legend or play.

7. In 630 B.C., Libya was part of the Ancient Greek world. The city of Cyrene was founded around this time, and after this, the Greeks established many more important cities. These cities were central in the role role of trading. Learn more about the Ancient Greeks in this region, and learn about why trading in this time period was so important-especially in areas such as the Mediterranean.

8. Libya is mostly covered by desert, and is considered to be one of the driest places on earth. Rainfall is extremely rare, and some places even recorded their last rainfall to be in 1998. Because of this, most wildlife is found on the coast. Some examples of plant life include: citrus and olive trees, juniper, canary and brome grass, and fig trees. Examples of wildlife include: elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, hyenas, gazelles, wildcats, and jackals. Choose [3] animals OR plants from Libya to learn more about. Also, Locate the Mediterranean Sea.

9. Traditional handicrafts in Libya usually serve a practical purpose, however remain to still be very artful. Islamic jewelry, desert glass, and imzad making. The imzad is an ancient musical instrument, which takes a very high skill level to create. Other crafts include: Traditional hand-made clothing and party-favors for weddings like lace pouches to hold Henna. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR jewelry OR observe someone creating a handicraft OR a traditional craft from Libya.

10. While most people in the cities tend to wear more Western style clothing (jeans, tee-shirts, summer cardigans etc.) traditional clothes consist of the following: Men: Long white gown with white loose pants underneath with a red cap, and black/dark brown vest with detailed embroidering. Women: Either long jalibiya gown with headscarf or pants with ¾ length gown on top and cropped vest. Usually women's clothing comes in a variety of colors and patterns, but stripes with two colors alternating are a common pattern used. If going to a wedding, gold bangles and headdress are used to accompany the outfit.

11. There are a variety of games played by children in Libya. Libyans like to play soccer (which they call koorat-al-qadam, which literally translates into football)Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Libya OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual.