Libya is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa bordered by Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad to the south, Niger to the southwest, Algeria to the west and Tunisia to the northwest. It has the longest Mediterranean coastline and home to many beaches. Libya comprises of three historical regions; Tripolitania in the northwest, Cyrenaica in the east and Fezzan in the southwest, now unified to form a single colony, which gave way to independent Libya. Although, popularly known as a Muslim nation, Libya possesses a rich Christian history, like the ancient Greek and Roman ruins. The official language spoken in Libya is Arabic, although Italian and English are spoken in the minor level and in tourist areas. It has population of about 6.8 million persons and home to the largest proven oil reserves in Africa.
TRENDING FASHION IN LIBYA
ACCESSORIES IN LIBYA
Libyan accessories selection is unique and very attractive.
TRIBES IN LIBYA AND THEIR FASHION
Libya has up to 140 tribes but one major ethnic group, which is the Berber (97%). Nowadays, modern Libya people no longer wear the traditional dress often, especially women, except the elderly Libyans. The traditional dress for men consists of a long white shirt called Jalabiya or Qamis, long trousers called Sirwal and a vest with button; heavily knitted called Sadriya. They also wear a red or black coloured headdress called shashiyah. The women general outfit consists of a blouse with baggy sleeves that are embroidered with beads and silver/gold thread and elastic baggy silky trousers. They also adorn themselves with large pieces of gold or silver jewelries. On special occasions, the women wear a veil with heavy jewelries.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN LIBYA
There are many historical places to see in Libya, and it is known for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins and Sahara Desert land shapes.
Waddan – below the rugged tips of the El-Bhallil mountains and peppered with surprisingly green spots of palm oases, the desert town of Waddan is a great place to come and catch a glimpse of the earthy backcountry character of Libya and to unravel the deep islamic histories.
Tripoli – before the tumult of the civil war and the rising of Arab spring, it is a poster boy for North African heritage.
Tobruk – it is best known as a battlefield of a different era: the second World War.
Sirte – a place where a onetime leader of the nation was finally captured and killed, marking the end of his more than 40-year-long rule.
Sabratha – it followed the predictable trajectory of a onetime Greek colony on the North African coast.
Sabha – it is considered the best gateway to Fezzan region which rolls out to meet the Sahara Desert.
Msallata – it’s one of the prettier spots in Murqub District, engulfed by swathes of olive plantations and undulating hills of scrub that roll out to meet the Med and Sahara to the north and south respectively.
Misrata – visitors come to enjoy the sun-kissed beaches that meld with the Saharan dunes to the east and west town, while others will tour the great city mosques and multi-cultural array of architecture.
Leptis Magna – it is quite possibly the single most impressive ancient site in the country.
Ghat – a far-flung town on the edge of the historic Fezzan region was once one of principal trading points on the Sahara-Sahel caravan route.
Ghadames- whitewashed homes scramble over one another in the heart of desert-shrouded Ghadames.
Cyrene – it is one of the greatest relics the Greeks left in North Africa.
Benghazi – ravaged Benghazi had its fair share of troubles in Libya’s wars, glorious past still remains.
Al Jawf – a small town surrounded by sweeping ochre sands at the very heart of Libyan Sahara.
Waw an Namus – it set deep in the very heart of the Saharan Desert, the attraction is only just becoming popular with intrepid travelers.
MUSIC IN LIBYA
Various kinds of Arab music are popular in Libya such as Andalusi music, locally known as Ma’luf, Chabi and Arab classical music. The Tuareg in the south have their own distinctive folk music. There are little or no pop music industry. Among the Libyan Arabs, instruments include the zokra, flute, tambourine, oud and darbuka.
Some musicians in Libya include:
Ahmed Fakroun;
Hamid Al-Shaeri
Art work in Libya include:
MEALS IN LIBYA
Libya have various sumptuous meal to make your visit a memorable one. Meals like;
Knafeh – a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with spun pastry called kataifi.
Turnover – a type of pastry or bread made by placing a filling on a piece of dough, folding dough over.
Lamb, hogget and mutton – this is generally meat of domestic sheep.
Za’atar – a traditional spice blend with Middle Eastern and Levantine origins.
Basbousa – a traditional Arabian semolina-based cake that is soaked in syrup, studded with almonds.
Tajin mahshi – a flavourful Libyan dish that is typically served as a main meal or a side dish.
Knafeh
Turnover
Lamb, hogget and mutton
Za’atar
Basbousa
Tajin mahshi
Hasa adas – a healthy Lybian soup that is also suitable for vegetarians.
Asida – a dish made of a cooked wheat flour lump of dough, sometimes with added butter and honey.
Tajine – a Berber dish, named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked.
Chorba – it is often prepared with added ingredients but served alone as broth or with bread.
Makroudh – a cookie from the cuisines of the maghreb and Malta, filled with dates and nuts or almond.
Bread – a staple food prepared from a dough of flour and water, usually by baking.
Hasa adas
Asida
Tajine
Chorba
Makroudh
Bread
Couscous – small steamed granules of rolled durum wheat semolina, served with stew.
Shakshouda – a delicious combination of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce.
Basin– served with stew and whole hard-boiled eggs.
Usban – a kind of sausage in the Maghreb, stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, lamb, liver and heart.
Rice pudding – a dish made from rice mixed with water or milk, cinnamon, vanilla and raisin.
Libyan tea – a strong beverage, prepared with traditional set of stainless utensil, served in a small cup.
Couscous
Shakshouda
Basin
Usban
Rice pudding
Libyan tea
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN LIBYA
A new International Union for Conservation of Nature report calls for improvements in the legal and institutional framework of the conservation in Libya. So far, only four Libyan sites have been declared protected areas or are being considered protected. These include the Farwa lagoon and island, Ain Ghazalah, Hisha nature reserve and Kouf National Park. The report identifies 24 new marine and coastal areas for protection due to their natural and economic value.
EFFECT CLIMATE CHANGE IN LIBYA
Libya’s climate is dominated by hot arid Sahara, but it is moderated along the coastal littoral by the Mediterranean Sea. The Saharan influence is stronger during summer. Climate change poses a significant threat to Libya’s economic development and sustainability, and climate variability is likely to increase the impacts of natural hazards on agriculture production. These are as a result of flooding, drought, wind and hot breeze cause by climate change.
GENDER EQUALITY IN LIBYA
In Libya, women and children’s exercise their human rights. Women have fundamental right to participate in all aspect of state decision. There are many women in politics, education and business sectors.
Fatima Hamroush – an ophthalmologist and Libyan politician.
Rida Al Tubuly – professor of pharmacology, Tripoli University and activist for gender equality in Libya.
Ibtissam Al Qusbi – a computer scientist and activist for women and children’s right.
Najia Mohammed El Mangoush – Libya diplomat and lawyer who served as Libya’s Foreign Minister.
Fatima Hamroush
Rida Al Tubuly
Ibtissam Al Qusbi
Najia Mohammed El Mangoush
Nahla Bushnaf – Benghazi blogger, photographer, English teacher and a Pharmacist.
Hala Bugaighis – Jusoor cofounder and Libyan lawyer.
Yusra Mouzughi – a british-Libyan academic and president Bahrain’s Royal University for Women.
Salwa El-Deghali – a Libyan academic and member of the National Transitional council representing women an in charge of legal affairs.
Nahla Bushnaf
Hala Bugaighis
Yusra Mouzughi
Salwa El-Deghali
