A Study on the Networking Space in the Gulf Region: Focusing on Diwaniya Case in Kuwait

Majlis is a social space where men in the Gulf region regularly gather in a specific place to socialize. People tend to reveal their cultural awareness and traditional values through the way they use space, as space is a tangible expression of an intangible culture. The case of diwaniya in Kuwait, where the socialization culture is mostly active, was used in this study to analyze the history and origin of the space of majlis, its social functions, role, and evolution over time. What distinguishes Kuwaiti diwaniya from other Gulf countries is as follows: first, it is a private and safe space from government intervention and surveillance, and therefore, a space where political activities occur. Second, Kuwaiti diwaniya is not a revival of traditional culture in the modern era; it functions as an organic space, and therefore, it evolves and transforms according to the social context. Based on a review of extant literature, this study traced the evolution process of diwaniya and its unique characteristics from the period prior to the formation of the state of Kuwait to the current era of modernization and digitalization.