This excerpt first appeared in Encarta Interactive World Atlas (1998) and describes the cultural habits and social customs of the country’s people.

Algeria: Customs and Lifestyle

Diet and Eating

In cities at least, French-influenced cuisine exists alongside traditional Algerian cooking. The traditional staple is el taam (seksul in Berber and couscous in other parts of North Africa), a steamed semolina served with lamb or chicken and vegetables. Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcoholic beverages.

Although Algerians generally eat with cutlery, some foods are still eaten with the hand, and dishes with rich sauces are eaten using a piece of bread as a scoop. Because the left hand is traditionally used for personal hygiene, only the right hand is used when eating without cutlery.

Recreation

Recreational activities are usually engaged in by the whole family, and they often take place in the home. However, people also enjoy going to the beach, having picnics, and watching films. Football is by far the most popular sport in Algeria.

Holidays and Celebrations

Muslim holy days vary in date from year to year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. National holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (5 July), and the Revolution Anniversary (1 November). The first of the three most important Islamic celebrations is El Aid Essgher, a three-day feast held at the end of the month of El Ramadan (Ramadan). El Ramadan is the month in which El Qur’an (the Koran) was revealed to Muhammad. During this month, Muslims do not eat, drink, or smoke between sunrise and sunset. In the evenings, they eat and visit family and friends. The second important Islamic holy day is El Eid Thamukrate, or Feast of the Sacrifice, which is held in conjunction with the pilgrimage to Mecca in June or July, and which commemorates not only the pilgrimage but also the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son. The third is the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, celebrated in September or October.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas

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Algeria