Due to limited choices of entertainment for Saudi guys, it is typical for groups of male friends to have regular weekend get-togethers at estrahas. By way of background, an estraha can be compared to a very small Saudi farm in that it will be an enclosed area with a high wall all around for privacy. Inside the wall at a minimum there will usually be a grassy area and then some kind of dwelling(s) either like a very small house and/or beudoin style tent (but usually with a/c, heating and satellite tv). 
Some estrahas may also have swimming pools, tennis courts and areas for soccer.
Try and put yourself in the Saudi guys shoes. If he is by himself or with other friends, he cannot go into the shopping malls as they are for women or families only. The restaurants are segregated and one cannot hang out in a restaurant without buying something to eat or drink. And what do guys generally like to do when they are together? Chat, smoke, enjoy the hubbly bubbly (hooka), play cards or perhaps have something to drink. (I’m being candid here and not pretending the head is in the sand). Obviously many of these pastimes cannot be enjoyed easily in town due to restrictions and lack of privacy, so instead they go to a family estraha or rent one where they can relax and enjoy themselves.
Just because a Saudi guy says he is spending an evening out at an estraha does not mean it is an evening of ill-repute at all. Let’s face it, at times, guys need to be guys and have their own male bonding time, just like women will enjoy getting together by themselves as well. So the next time your husband says he wants to join the guys at an estraha, smile warmly and encourage him to have a good time. He will appreciate you and your understanding all the more.
Filed under: culture, Entertainment, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Uncategorized
What is typically smoked in the hubbly bubbly hookah?
Johnny,
Carol had a post of the hookah that you may find informative.
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/ksa-and-the-hookah-culture/
In Saudi the most popular type is made with fruit and tobacco mixture. In other countries like Syria and Iran some people smoke tobacco only.
My favorite is grape flavor. I have one at my home in the US. Although, I do not smoke it regularly, I do enjoy it when friends come for a visit.
Hmmm, these guys lounging around on cushions still managing to look important always call to my mind the word ”Drones club” (P G Woodhouse)
But I fully agree: we cannot expect men to constantely operate at our level all the time. That just wouldn’t be fair and too much of a strain. It is their right to be able to spend ”men”-time with each other, at their own level.
There is an expression in German, roughly translates as ”species-correct-keeping” It means for example: if you have a horse it should have acces to the outside, and companionship of other horses.
The same applies to men: If you have a man you should let him out every now and then to be with the ”lads” and do ”lad-stuff”
I like Lemon the best, but ours has remained unused since the boys came three years ago. Now I just smoke it on the occassional trip to gatherings at friends houses.
That’s a good question. What do men actually do when they get together? What do the youth do? I know women don’t have that much of a difficult time as it’s always easy to talk about your family and life in general and time goes by quick. But men? Are there sport facilities for the public? Art/Language centers? What do children do in the summer heat?
I haven’t been to Saudi before but lived in the Emirates. I’m sure there are similarities but vast differences as well. Restaurants and malls are not segregated there. Why doesn’t the government of Saudi look at the other gcc countries and realize it’s not that bad laying off the conservatism a little bit as that is really taking the country downhill.
Aafke,
“Hmmm, these guys lounging around on cushions still managing to look important always call to my mind the word ”Drones club” (P G Woodhouse)”
Good observation. If you hang around long enough with Saudi men, you will notice that they constantly keep their heads at 90 degree angel to the ground. The reason is the Eqal (the black round thing on top of the head) will fall off otherwise. This was originaly a functional piece of the attire, which held the ghotrah in place (the red or white cloth protecting the head from the sun).
Over the years Eqal became smaller and more fashionable and thus lost it’s function. Now you have to keep your head straight so it won’t fall off. It is almost impossible to look relaxed or less formal if you try to keep Eqal on
Estraha is very common thing between Saudi guys. In Estraha, everybody will have his rest to say or sit down in a way he likes where formality is something does not exist in these meetings. There r many things that r worth mentioning when it comes to these meetings in Estraha. These things r that many meetings r always applied to friends who come to the same Estraha .For example , you see students r come to be with students and married ppl r come to be with married ppl…. etc. By doing this, groups will know when they should meet and not to meet due to their responsibilities. In fact, Estraha is the only place that many groups practice their preferences due to the few options for guys. To me, in our group we have a Play Station football’s tournament where the winner will get a dinner in any restaurant he wants, of course with inviting the group in a way he is the winner and the host!. Also, there are subscriptions for closed sport channels, where many of us have no subscriptions for these channels at home. All these r done under the umbrella of sharing costs, where it is a great fun with limited payments!! . I believe that many guys have their own ways when it comes to Estraha, but, still, Estraha is a good place to discuss many things in an atmosphere where some might agree and others will not. Estraha will stay the number one for a free men-men time, where everyone can say whatever he wants in any tone of voice and in any way he seats. All these can be in Estraha, where coffee shops and restaurants r places that formality is still there.
Gossip?
No way men do not gossip. We just discuss personal information about others, not in the room, in a constructive manner.
They watch Satellite TV and play Winning Eleven on PlayStation
Jihad, thanks, you are at least an expert, can’t you elaborate? There must be more to the mysterious estraha!
Just dying to know what blokes are up to!
Saudi in US: *If you hang around long enough with Saudi men* Yea, right. I’m a girl in case you haven’t noticed.
Ah, of course, men do not ”gossip”, fascinating….
Coffeeboy, thanks for the info, sounds very cosy.
Made me wonder, do girls have their own Estraha meetings?
I’m not an estiraha dweller, but I’ve spent some time frequenting a couple although it’s totally not my cup of tea. 95% of the time is spent in front of a TV: channel surfing, watching a film, watching music videos, watching a soccer game, or playing the aforementioned soccer game (rarely even a car racing game, most likely Need for Speed).
Sheesha (hubbly bubbly (hooka)) is usually present as Carol mentioned. [PS: I'm a programmer, I can get away with nested braces
]
Well, after some of my earlier posts where I was told I was too harsh on Saudi guys by some of my family members, I’m happy to say this one meets approval! (smile)
There are a number of sports clubs and facilities available to guys as well as family play areas for the younger children too. Most of these facilities will be most active after dark due to the intense heat of the day.
The estrahas are an ideal venue for both guys and yes, for the ladies to also have their occasional girls nights too. And for those less traditional, some estrahas will have mixed groupings.
We plot and conspire the downfall of the dreaded Female Empire and our grand plans for launching the “Stepford Wife Virus”.
LOL
Esterahas are just a place for guys to be guys and to unwind. Most people go for the swimming pools (especially during the hotter parts of the year), for the soccer fields, and more recently pay-per-view channels during world cup fever.
They’re also good places to host special occasions, especially for people who have limited space at home or too small a budget to rent a ceremony hall. Everything from birthday parties to full weddings.
I hope that everyone who spends time in Saudi gets to have an estraha experience.
I have not been to Saudi yet but will do God willing for the pilgrimage and to meet the other half’s extended family members : ) I’ll go even if to sit on the floor. It’s a favorite pastime : P
If you have the opportunity do so; it’s important to know where your spouse came from and who is his family.
And regarding sitting on the floor, no matter which country my husband and I were in during Ramadan we have a tradition to always break our initial fast while sitting on the floor, even when living in the States. It was quite nice and pretty special actually!
American Bedu I agree! Sitting on the floor is special! Always brings me memories of relaxed times visiting relatives in the summer as a child.
As for Ramadan, it will be our first one together,(me and husband) can’t wait! : )
Tahnks for posting
Teed – may you and your husband have a very special first Ramadan together!!
Tigegype – you’re welcome!!
The Saudi men we’ve seen chatting (when they thought that we women weren’t listening) usually discussed sports, politics, news, and usually about whatever woman was on the t.v. at the time. We tried to get even one night by commenting how one of the men on t.v. had such a good body etc…. Our husbands did NOT think it was funny at all and were very upset by our comments. (See, there are some things that even the King himself cannot change about the way things are here. )
hehe….reminds me of a story I read in Arab news where a man divorced his wife since she was watching a certain tv show (that featured a man) and the husband cited it was something like “unsanctioned contact with an unrelated man…”
[...] or in some cases even all weekend long. It is typical for young Saudi men to go to a favorite estrahah and end up playing balut all weekend long…unless there is a favorite soccer match showing on [...]
Aafke:
Women’s Estraha are portable. You see two women together…here you go! You have an Estraha! lol!
To all:
It’s basically guys renting a private space they turn into a sponsored membership only club? Sounds to me like this Estraha is the Saudi version of the American Country Club? is it?
And doesn’t Estraha mean: to relax?
bdg
@Bruno – an estraha is indeed a place to relax. Some families have their own estrahas which they own. And yes, some young men do all pitch in and rent an estraha making it their own private place…which given their are few outlets for the young men to gather and enjoy themselves, I’m glad they have that option. So I guess in some instances, it may sound like a private club…usually a private desert vice country club! (smile)
[...] member’s home to visit and he in turn would join his male friends at a local coffee house or estraha and pass by the [...]