Gulf News explores the timeless tapestry of Emirati culture

Gulf News

Gulf News explores the timeless tapestry of Emirati culture. Al Ain’s Traditional Handicrafts Festival showcases the richness of UAE’s heritage and creative influences on artisans. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv

Transcript

00:00Souq al-Qatara in Al Ain is a unique heritage site and they're showcasing a handicrafts

00:12festival to celebrate the Emirati traditions.

00:15The whole festival is designed to allow spectators to travel back in time and see what people

00:20did in the old days in the UAE.

00:22The organizers, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, have put on a wide range of Emirati

00:27products, traditions, and activities on display for all to enjoy and learn from.

00:32The objective of the festival is to maintain the traditional handicrafts and present to

00:38the new generations and to learn from them about their traditional handicrafts.

00:47Anything from a variety of homemade foods such as traditional pickles, Arabian coffees,

00:52spices, juices, to craftsmen and women creating their merchandise and even henna tattooing

00:58can be found here.

01:00There are also some rare but fascinating homemade products such as creams and oils made out

01:04of camel fat on exhibit.

01:06The oil for the hair, they make circulation for the hair because about the hair when it's

01:12coming very weak, they use this one, it's very nice will be.

01:17And I have also many, three or five creams for the body.

01:22They used before more than 3,000 years ago, but the people now doesn't know about this

01:29one, this oil and the cream.

01:32The talented craftsmen and women can be seen carrying on with what they love doing around

01:36the fair's grounds.

01:38Pleased to see the people, especially youngsters, taking an interest in their work and answer

01:43any questions they have in the hopes that these traditions will live on.

01:47Of course, the festival would not be complete without the inclusion of falconry, a tradition

01:52which has been practiced in the UAE for centuries.

01:55The experienced hunters are ready to teach the students all about this unique custom

02:00and they are more than keen to learn.

02:02The festival runs daily from 9 a.m. until midday and returns again at 4 p.m. until late

02:07in the evening.

02:08But when everyone leaves for a break at midday, the gifted craftswomen get together and continue

02:14their work over coffee and some food.

02:16These women have been doing their craft ever since they can remember.

02:20They have learnt these skills during childhood from other family members.

02:24Their skills and experience are evident through the confidence and speed at which they do

02:28their work.

02:29Some make baskets, coasters and other products from palm leaves, which is known as khus.

02:35Others skillfully place spools of thread to create intricate designs for clothes, hairbands

02:41and general decorations.

02:43This practice is known as tally.

02:45When the break is over at 4 p.m., the festivities liven up even more.

02:50People can either continue to wander around the fair or they can sit around, enjoy each

02:54other's company and the festivities.

02:56The performance of traditional Arabic dancing and music is not only a form of entertainment,

03:02it's an opportunity for the children to learn the skills from the elders.

03:05Now in its second year, the event has become even more grand and is drawing a much bigger

03:10and diverse audience.

03:12And it was very awesome because they let us, like visitors, to hear and they let us remember

03:21what they would do in the past.

03:23I learn about all of things about my country's culture and tradition.

03:30I visited some people from UAE, they introduced me a lot of things about UAE, like what do

03:37they do, their heritage and their culture.

03:39My family loves to see all this.

03:42This is a very nice opportunity to see the culture of UAE people.

03:48We are really enjoying it.

03:50The first thing you learn is that people are so friendly.

03:53They offer you tea and coffee and dates and halwa.

03:59They always offer this when you're here.

04:01Not just the festival, but it's available all year round.

04:04It's very welcoming.

04:05I'm here to witness this UAE culture and heritage.

04:09It's really very beautiful and I've learned a lot from here.

04:14It feels like home.

04:15It's too good.

04:16The Handicrafts Festival in Al Ain is a very cultural event which teaches visitors about

04:21their Marathi traditions and the importance of carrying these traditions on.

04:25Sarvajna Rampaya, Gulf News.

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