The Comoros Island is very poor and undeveloped. The basic diet of the Comorians consists of rice, potatoes, corn, fish, coconuts, and bananas. Other crops that are grown are sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and pineapples. Although young people wear Western style clothing, traditional clothing is still common among the adults. While in town, a Comorian man will typically wear a white cotton garment and a knee-length shirt, sometimes with a white jacket and white skull cap.
Most women wear long, colorful cotton dresses with bright shawls as face coverings.
Others prefer wearing black robes that cover their heads. Polygamy is an acceptable practice among the Comorians. Children are expected to help with family duties such as farming, fishing, and caring for the animals. For recreation they enjoy dancing, singing, and playing instruments, especially horns and drums. Although French and Arabic are the official languages of the island Comoros, Swahili is the native language spoken by the Comorians.