The last 100 years have been very eventful in Kuwait. It has gone from being a poor country of traders controlled by Britain to a rich and influential independent nation. Take a closer look to see how it all happened, and where Kuwait might be going.
過去一百年來,科威特歷經許多變故,從英國控管的貧窮貿易國搖身變成有影響力的獨立國家。讓我們仔細來瞧瞧這一切是如何發生的,以及科威特的未來該何去何從。
A closer look 說古論今
PHOTO: EPA
Kuwait was founded in the 16th century by groups of nomadic traders. Whereas most Persian Gulf countries were controlled by rulers who siezed power, the people of Kuwait chose their leaders from the people. Over the centuries, the Kuwaitis made their livings as traders, dealing in spices and pearls. With few natural resources, Kuwait had become a poor country by the end of the 19th century, and in 1899 it came under the control of Britain. However, all that changed in the first half of the 20th century when Kuwait tapped into its oil resources.
By 1953, Kuwait had become the largest oil producer in the Middle East. With its new wealth, it got out from under British control, and in 1961 became the first Middle Eastern country to declare independence. When its constitution was created in 1962, it was the first country in the region to have a directly elected parliament. It also became the third country in the Persian Gulf to have a woman in the prime minister's cabinet.
Today, Kuwaitis are known for their warm hospitality. When people meet each other, they often spend a long time asking how each other's families are doing. Hosts must always offer their guests tea, and it is rude for guests not to accept it and talk for a while. However, the only time people don't talk for a long time is when a man meets a woman he doesn't know. Asking her too many questions is an invasion of her privacy, and is considered rude. (Taipei Times)
科威特在十六世紀由貿易的遊牧民族建國。當波斯灣多數國家仍受掌權的統治者控制時,科威特人民已選出自己的領導者。數世紀以來,科威特人民都以貿易維生,交易香料與珍珠。由於缺乏天然資源,科威特在十九世紀末變成貧窮國家,並於一八九九年遭英國統治。然而,科威特在二十世紀前半葉發現了石油,徹底改頭換面。
科威特在一九五三年成為中東最大的油產國。藉著新的財富資源,科威特擺脫了英國的統治,於一九六一年成為中東最早宣布獨立的國家。一九六二年科威特憲法誕生,是中東第一個讓人民直接選舉國會的國家。科威特也是波斯灣地區第三個擁有女性內閣閣員的國家。
現今,科威特人民是出了名的溫暖友善。人們見面時,通常會花很多時間詢問對方家人是否安好。主人一定要請賓客喝茶,客人若不接受或不留下來交談一會兒都很無禮。不過,人們唯一不交談良久的時候,就是男人遇見陌生女子時。詢問對方太多問題被認為是侵犯隱私的無禮行為。 (翻譯:賴美君)
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