Culture & History
The Majlis on UNESCO’s Heritage List: What Was Recognised and Why
In 2015 UNESCO inscribed the majlis as intangible cultural heritage for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
How to Say Sofa and Couch in Arabic (With Pronunciation)
Sofa in Arabic is kanaba or arika, and the English word sofa itself comes from Arabic suffa.
Sofa Etymology and More: Sofa, Divan, Ottoman, Mattress
Sofa, divan, ottoman and mattress all reached English from Arabic, Persian and Turkish.
Yemeni vs Saudi vs Moroccan Majlis: How to Tell Them Apart
Three majlis traditions compared: Yemeni diwan, Saudi majlis and Moroccan salon.
Afghan Toshak vs Arabic Majlis: Similarities and Differences
A toshak is a thin floor mattress, an Arabic majlis is raised upholstered seating.
Majlis Meaning in English: The Word, the Room and the Sofa
Majlis in English means a place of sitting. Learn how to pronounce it, its plural, and how one Arabic word names a room, a gathering and a sofa set.
What Is a Toshak? The Afghan Floor Mattress Explained
A toshak is the long floor mattress Afghan families sit, eat and sleep on.
Majlis, Diwan, Jalsa, Sedari, Toshak: Seating Names by Country
The difference between majlis and diwan, plus jalsa, diwaniya, sedari, marbouaa, sedir and toshak: a country-by-country glossary of seating names.
A Set Decorator’s Guide to Authentic Middle Eastern Seating
For film, TV and theatre: how to choose regionally accurate majlis seating, from Gulf and Yemeni to Levantine and Ottoman-era interiors.
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