Rice, bread, vegetables, lamb, and fish are the chief foods in Yemen. The national dish is a spicy stew called salta. Groups of men and groups of women get together most afternoons for a session of khat chewing. Some Yemenis, especially those in the cities, wear Western-style clothing. Many others wear more traditional Arab clothing.
Many men wear skullcaps, turbans, or tall, round hats called tarbooshes.
Many women wear long robes, black shawls, and veils. Less than half the people of Yemen 15 years of age or older can read and write. For the country's literacy rate, see . Public schools exist in cities and larger towns. In rural areas, most education takes place in Muslim religious schools.