Arab-African Lifestyles as a Diplomatic Resource

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -

 Arab-African Lifestyles as a Diplomatic Resource: Lessons Beyond the Surface


Vakhtang Imerlishvili

Middle East & Africa Affairs | Orientalist & Arabist



---


I. Speaking of Values — Not Just Strategies


When regional cooperation is discussed, conversations tend to stay at a technical level — infrastructure, investments, policies. Yet the true success of relationships lies elsewhere — in lifestyles, traditions, and the values that shape shared human spaces. In East Africa, as in the Arab world, traditional modes of living — hospitality, negotiation rituals, respect for elders, and the spiritual tone embedded in daily life — are not only cultural markers, but integral to diplomacy itself.


As a Middle East and Africa specialist, I no longer see these values as purely academic interest. They are tools — practical, dynamic, and real. Tools that can be used to build dialogue in spaces where gestures, presence, and cultural awareness carry more weight than words or protocols.



---


II. Traditions That Speak Louder Than Words


Communication in Arab and East African cultures often flows through forms that may appear "informal" in a Western paradigm, but in truth constitute the backbone of genuine interaction.


Majlis (مجلس) — not merely a sitting room, but a setting for intentional, unrushed decisions. The sound of tea being poured, extended silence, deliberate pauses — all of these are part of the negotiation itself. The one who rushes will not be heard.


Uhuru na heshima (Swahili: Freedom and Respect) — is central in African partnership ethics. Respect for age, for speech, and for space is not symbolic — it is a lived code of conduct.


The guest comes first — business comes later — a rule that reflects a deep relational order: interactions begin with people, not with agendas. A business partner must first be a guest. Through this approach, trust begins to function.



---


III. From Tradition to Model: Reimagining Interaction


If we aim for tangible outcomes in cultural or economic collaboration, it’s not enough to translate language — we must translate context. We must understand how the other side perceives time, silence, directness, or the rhythm of decision-making.


1. A meeting that “starts late” may be starting at the right moment.

Time is not merely a logistical detail — it is part of the relationship.


2. Beyond cooperation — toward participation.

Let us move from negotiation to resonance. In many regional contexts, only authentic presence can cross bureaucratic walls.


3. Fewer words — richer meaning.

In both Arab and African dialogues, short expressions are preceded by long atmospheres. Not just what is said matters, but how, when, and by whom.


This is no longer just analysis — it is cultural translation. And a resource of real strategic depth.

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now: Strategic posts and diplomatic commentary worth reading

Academic Observation

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
I have lived in lands where words are merely shadows of what silence conveys. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Dubai, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Chad, Uganda, Tanzania — places where gold and belief can be both a trap and a salvation. Here, rules are not written in constitutions, nor taught in academies — they are etched into the motion of a finger, the fleeting meeting of eyes, the stillness of silence, or an involuntary gesture of the body. Silence can be the loudest declaration, and a handshake — the most complex agreement. This is a world where a single glance can forge a bond that takes years elsewhere, or break trust forever without a single word spoken. At the crossroads of politics, faith, commerce, and intrigue, touch becomes code — and silence, a strategy for survival. Here you learn that diplomacy is not merely protocol — it is an art practiced through instinct, presence, and the delicate balance of unspoken communication. Intrigue is not gossip — it is often a means of sur...
Explore the full note

Silent Accord — The Strength and Unity of Kenyan Women

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
 Silent Accord — The Strength and Unity of Kenyan Women” By Vakhtang Imerlishvili “Power is not always loud — sometimes it passes hand to hand, like fire in the dark.” Invisible Strength In Kenyan cultural life, there exists a form of power that speaks without words — the silent influence of women. It appears in gestures, in presence, in the way relationships are guided. Women shape unity not through command, but through empathy. Their influence is not about assertion — it's about preservation. It flows quietly through families, communities, and generations. It does not require declaration, but it defines direction. Urban Networks and Behavioral Strategy In Nairobi’s intellectual and social landscapes, women cultivate dialogue and connection. They do not lead by titles, but by tone. Their presence creates calm, trust, and clarity in spaces where uncertainty could otherwise take root. They do not claim space — they transform it. This is a soft, behavioral strategy built on intuition...
Explore the full note

The Diplomacy of Friendship

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
 The Diplomacy of Friendship: Silence, Fire, and Trust in Africa A blog by Vakhtang Imerlishvili In Africa, friendship often begins by the fire. Words are not required — it is enough to sit nearby, to share a quiet smile, and to listen as the night opens its own kind of dialogue. This silence does not conceal — it reveals. It creates a space where trust is not spoken, but simply lived. I remember sitting in a rural Kenyan village for the first time, unsure of what to expect. There were no questions. No explanations. Yet something unmistakable was already unfolding. When someone pours water for you without asking if you're thirsty — that is Africa. When a stranger stops on the road and offers a hand, without a word — that is the language of trust. Unlike in the Arab world, where diplomatic gestures are often refined through centuries of etiquette, African friendship moves with an inner rhythm — a rhythm that tells you: feel first, then speak. If you sense it correctly, friendship sp...
Explore the full note

To Live in Egypt as a Georgian Arabist

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
 To live in Egypt as a Georgian Arabist is not merely to observe history — it is to walk inside it. I arrived in Cairo not as a tourist, but as a witness, and perhaps — a returnee. The Mamluk dynasty, which shaped so much of Egypt’s medieval strength, included among its most respected warriors Georgians taken as boys from the Caucasus, trained in arms and language, then elevated to the ranks of commanders. This is no abstract history to me — it is a whisper I hear in Cairo’s stones, in the echo of Arabic that flows through my voice when I speak. Arabic is not foreign to me. It is a second skin, a language I wear with gratitude and responsibility. In Egypt, my years of study became daily dialogue — on the streets, in souks, in mosques, in silence. The language no longer lived only in books; it lived in people, in gestures, in poetry shouted over coffee and in calls to prayer at dawn. To be a Georgian Arabist in Egypt is to see connections that few suspect — not only between cultures...
Explore the full note
Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
📍 Cultural Research: How the Language of Gestures is Read in the East and Africa By Vakhtang Imerlishvili Culture is not only read through literature and laws — it is perceived through movement, gestures, gaze, and silence. In Eastern and African societies, gestures often communicate what words cannot express. The Language of Gestures in the East (Arab and Persian Contexts) Gesture Meaning Hand placed on the chest Respect and sincerity Slight bow of the head Humility and gratitude Looking upward from lowered eyes Submission or tenderness Offering something with the right hand Traditional politeness – left hand is considered impure The Language of Gestures in Africa (East African Context) Gesture Meaning Firm handshake using both hands Honest greeting and deep respect Slight head tilt to the side Reflection or interest Silence during a conversation Depth, agreement, or uncertainty – depends on the context Raising eyebrows Greeting or drawing attention (in some regions, it means...
Explore the full note

A Morning in Nairobi

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
 A Beautiful Morning in Nairobi In the early morning, Nairobi awakens gently. In the silence, the city's unseen rhythm begins to take shape — measured, yet profound. The first rays of the sun calm the streets, but beneath this serenity, there are already processes at work that will define the course of the day. Nairobi in the morning is not merely a place — it is a moment of anticipation and silent agreements, where more is said in quiet than in words.
Explore the full note

Kenya’s Ethnic Richness, Hospitality, and Cultural Depth — A Diplomatic Perspective

Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
  Kenya’s Ethnic Richness, Hospitality, and Cultural Depth — A Diplomatic Perspective   By Vakhtang Imerlishvili   Kenya, the beating heart of East Africa and a pivotal diplomatic platform, stands out not only for its political and geostrategic significance but also for its profound cultural layers. These layers, formed by over 40 officially recognized ethnic groups, offer a vivid mosaic of heritage, language, and tradition that shape the nation’s internal dynamics and influence its international relations, tourism, and informal diplomacy. The Maasai, Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin, and Others — A Harmony of Difference The Maasai—arguably Kenya’s most iconic people—embody cultural resilience. Known for their traditional attire, warrior heritage, and harmony with the land, they symbolize both national identity and an enduring relationship with nature. Their presence has become central to Kenya’s image on the global stage, especially in eco-tourism. The Kikuyu, one of Ke...
Explore the full note
Vakhtang Imerlishvili, Author – Africa, Arabia -
Lines of Stillness: When Three Regions Begin to Speak Without Words Author: Vakhtang Imerlishvili https://africarabia-imerlishvili.blogspot.com --- Text: There is nothing loud in this space. No statements, no forums, no exaggerated gestures. And yet — something begins. Three regions — Africa, Arabia, and the Caucasus — begin to align, as if unprompted. They lack sufficient words, but they carry memory. They have no guides, but they follow direction. This project does not claim to explain what is happening. It invites you to witness how something appears — still undefined, moving only through quiet motion. Those who can read the signs are already on their way. This is only the beginning.
Explore the full note