CULTURAL NARRATIVES IN ANIMATION: EXPLORING EMIRATI LIFE THROUGH FREEJ

Abstract

This paper presents a content analysis of the Emirati animated series Freej, with a special focus on the episode Global Village. The study examines how the series portrays Emirati cultural practices, particularly through the lens of visual storytelling and humor. By analyzing key scenes such as bargaining at the Rajasthan Art booth, visiting various cultural pavilions, and participating in globalized cultural practices, the paper highlights the tension between tradition and modernity. Freej serves as both a preserver of cultural heritage and a critique of modernization, using humor to make culturally specific practices accessible to a broad audience. The findings reveal that Freej effectively navigates the complexities of cultural representation, using visual exaggeration and humorous storytelling to depict Emirati identity in a rapidly globalizing world. The study also draws parallels between this analysis and broader media portrayals of culture, emphasizing the role of animation as a medium for both preserving and adapting cultural narratives.