Many of you heard of Diwaniya here in Kuwait.
Do you know what is the Diwaniyah?
What is the purpose of It?
Al-Diwaniya in Kuwait's Culture
Kuwaiti houses usually consists of one hall. However, wealthy families establish a separate hall or specify one room in one side of the house and call it the “Al-Diwaniya”.
This room or hall is secluded from other parts of the house. It is an area to receive guests, neighbors and friends to discuss current events, exchange views in spare time.
The main doors of the diwaniya are kept open all day long. Along the door sides, more seats are set for passers-by. Some of the diwaniyas might have sea view where guests would like to enjoy the sea breeze in the summer. Sometimes the diwaniya includes a guest room for those who need to stay for one or more nights in the country. Today, some of the diwaniyas located along Al-Khaleej Street still receive guests.
The diwaniya include a main sitting place, called "Diwan". Doors of the diwan overlook the internal hall that is comfortably furnished for guests. There are many cushions arranged in a specific way to be used as seats and armrests. The floor is covered with woven Persian carpets. The diwaniya, also, contains utensils for preparing coffee, which is redolent with cardamom. Using a special brazier, this coffee is prepared either on the far side of the diwan or in a small annexed room. Coffee preparing utensils consist of graduated sizes of brass coffeepots with lids and long beaked spouts called "Dallal". Coffee is served in small cups made of pottery. Either the owner of the diwaniya prepares the coffee himself for guests or he hires a servant to do this job for him.
Diwaniya in Kuwait has preserved its importance in the social, political and economic life. Today, diwaniya is considered of the important social institutes that play influential role in the democratic and parliamentary life. It became a referential indicator and place where many decisions were made. The number of the diwaniyas increased to the extent that one diwaniya or more can be found in every street. Some of them receive guests daily, others receive guests for only one or two days per week, and others receive guests only on special occasions.
The general atmosphere of diwaniyas became similar to that of social clubs, cultural and literary forums and political salons. Some of these modern diwaniyas are equipped with television sets, radios, satellite dishes, computers and phones. Other diwaniyas set themselves goals to achieve, like sports, economic, political. They plan schedules and set dates to reach their goals. Others declare topics for discussion days before receiving guests. The funniest innovation in diwaniya is the womenÂ’s diwaniyas. These diwaniyas receive male guests who share their interests and activities.


