Al-Mansaf is the most popular traditional dish and one of the basic dishes that is connected to generosity, and hospitality of Jordanian people. It has a wide fame despite the diversity of human and cultural spaces for Jordanian cuisine, and it is served as a main and popular meal at various social events, in public restaurants and houses Al-Mansaf is no longer a dish that is eaten only on occasions, but a clear expression of a cultural state that Jordanian society has been distinguished by, and has become one of its social features. Although it is served and cooked in variable ways by different people from different regions, it is the closest dish to the cultural roots of the people of Jordan. Eating and serving it is related to special rituals inherited from generation to generations such as cleanliness, respecting elderly people, reconciliation between the disputants honoring the guest, feeding the hungry and poor, and others, and this is what made it the most present, common, persistent and respected at the Jordanian table. Rice, lamb meat, local ghee (samin balady), Jameed (dried fermented yogurt), a flat thin bread called Shrak, nuts for garnish like almonds and pine nuts, salt, turmeric, and other special spices. Al-Mansaf is served in a big platter.
The head of the goat or the lamb will be put in the middle of the platter surrounded by big pieces of meat. A space without meat called Mawakel will be left to enable the guests to reach their hands to the rice and eat without moving the meat from its place. People normally eat with three fingers in their right hand from the side where they stand. Guests are not allowed to use their left hand in eating rice or cutting meat. Guests are not allowed to extend their hands to the head unless invited by the host. The head is under the protection of the host as a part of tribal customs. Al-Mansaf is connected with some traditions to be followed by guests and host like eating from the side where you stand and eating with the right hand.

Reference:
- https://ich.gov.jo/app2
- Archives of the Heritage Directorate / Ministry of Culture
- Intangible Cultural Heritage in Al-Balqa Governorate - Ministry of Culture 2017
- Intangible Cultural Heritage in Al-karak Governorate - Ministry of Culture 2017
- Intangible Cultural Heritage in Al- Zarqa Governorate - Ministry of Culture 2017
- https://nawiseh.wordpress.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%81/
-
- https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/al-mansaf-in-jordan-a-festive-banquet-and-its-social-and-cultural-meanings-01849