Life for the Gulf Arab is one of harsh existence with few material belongings. Their main possession is the home a long tent made from woven goat or animal hair. These tents are not permanent dwellings and are divided into two parts by a decorative partition called a gata . Typically, one half of the tent is for the women, children, cooking utensils, and storage, while the other half is for the men. The men's section contains a fireplace and is used for entertaining guests.
Men sit and make plans for the group, while the women do most of the household chores.
Animals are very important to the Gulf Arab lifestyle. Sheep and goats are raised for monetary value, and camels are used for transportation. Dairy products have been the traditional food source of the Gulf Arab. Camels' and goats' milk is drunk fresh or made into yogurt and a kind of butter called ghee . A typical Arab meal consists of a bowl of milk or yogurt, or rice covered with ghee.