Sharjah Heritage Days: A celebration of culture and tradition

Sharjah 24

01-03-2025

For its 22nd edition, the festival reaffirmed its commitment to authenticity by adopting 'Roots' as its theme. This choice reflects a deep connection to Emirati heritage, taking visitors back to the origins that shaped the nation's cultural identity. Expanding beyond Sharjah city, the event unfolded across several locations, including Khorfakkan, Mleiha, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, and Dibba Al-Hisn. More than just a cultural showcase, Sharjah Heritage Days serves as a journey through time, seamlessly weaving the past into the present in an experience that celebrates both tradition and modernity.
A report from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau highlights the event's significance as one of the region's most prominent cultural and heritage festivals. The festival honours both Emirati and global traditions, offering a diverse range of experiences that include folk arts, traditional crafts, and folkloric performances. These elements provide a deeper understanding of different cultures, bridging the gap between communities and strengthening the appreciation of heritage. Over the years, Sharjah Heritage Days has solidified its place as a key cultural event, drawing heritage enthusiasts annually and fostering connections between diverse traditions from around the world.
In its latest edition, the festival once again provided a dynamic and immersive experience, transporting visitors into the charm of bygone eras through art, culture, and storytelling. It remains an inclusive platform where heritage, intellect, and tradition merge, offering a variety of programmes that cater to audiences of all ages.
The rhythm of the sea in dance and song
One of the festival's highlights was the mesmerising display of Emirati folk art, where traditional dances recounted the tales of sailors and the mysteries of the sea. These performances served as living narratives of the region's rich maritime history, allowing audiences to witness the culture of seafarers come to life.
Sailors, or nawakhatha in the local Emirati dialect, performed rhythmic movements inspired by their experiences at sea. Dressed in traditional attire, they infused the dances with authenticity, creating a visual spectacle that transported audiences to the era of seafaring and trade. The performance gave the impression that the dancers were weaving the essence of the ocean into their movements, imprinting their maritime memories onto the sails of dhows—a timeless emblem of the nation's heritage.
Throughout the festival grounds, the air was filled with the echoes of traditional songs and chants. Melodies such as Ya Hala Bel Dhaif (Welcome, Guest), Ya Marhaba (Greetings), and Ya Zain (Oh Beautiful One) reverberated, spreading joy and rekindling memories of generations past. The music carried visitors on a journey—one moment sailing across deep waters wrapped in nostalgia, and the next wandering through vast deserts, golden dunes, and Bedouin tents that remain deeply embedded in the region's cultural identity.
The hypnotic performance of the Nuban troupe
Amid the festival's vibrant atmosphere, the Emirati Nuban troupe, led by Taher Ismail, captivated audiences with their rhythmic and energetic performance. Their choreography blended graceful movements with the resonant sounds of traditional percussion instruments, including the ras, wasat, and shimboh.
A particularly striking feature of their performance was the use of the manjoor—a unique belt made of goats' hooves—worn by one of the performers. As he moved, the manjoor produced a distinctive rattling sound, synchronising perfectly with the rhythm of the music. This unique element added an extra dimension to the performance, creating a sensory experience that celebrated both joy and heritage in a spectacular display of Emirati tradition.
The art of Talli: A timeless Emirati craft
In the fashion corner of Sharjah Heritage Days, traditional Emirati attire mesmerised visitors with its elegance and cultural significance. The dark-hued, meticulously crafted abayas, paired with exquisite silver jewellery shimmering like stars, told a story of heritage and authenticity. Meanwhile, the beautifully embroidered Gulf thobes reflected the refinement and generosity that have long defined Emirati society.
Among these intricate designs, Talli, the traditional Emirati handwoven embroidery, stood out as a symbol of craftsmanship and pride. Its delicate patterns, reminiscent of rolling ocean waves, carried echoes of the past, each stitch narrating a tale from generations before. Emirati women have long taken pride in this art, which embodies cultural richness and deep-rooted values. Umm Mohammed, one of the artisans showcasing her work at the festival, emphasised the significance of Talli, highlighting its role in preserving Emirati heritage. Similarly, Aisha Al Hamidi, a skilled Talli artist, captivated onlookers with her exceptional craftsmanship, weaving golden threads that seemed to whisper stories from the past.
The fragrance of heritage
Walking through the alleys of the heritage market, visitors were greeted by the enchanting aroma of oud, musk, and amber, transporting them to the nights of their ancestors. In the Perfumes Through the Ages exhibition, the senses embarked on a journey through time, revealing the artistry behind perfume-making. Delicately crafted bottles held fragrant secrets, each blend a testament to the skill and creativity of Emirati women who once mixed perfumes at home using a precise combination of flowers, oud, and saffron.
At one of the stalls, 70-year-old Umm Abdullah shared her memories with visitors, reminiscing about a time when perfume was more than just a scent—it was an identity. Each fragrance carried a unique signature, marking its wearer with a distinct presence.
Palm weaving: An enduring craft
In another corner, master craftswoman Fatima Al Shehhi from Ras Al Khaimah demonstrated the ancient art of palm weaving. With remarkable dexterity, she transformed palm fronds into baskets, bags, and mats, much like her grandmother did before her. Palm weaving, one of the oldest handicrafts in the UAE, remains an essential part of the country's heritage.
As visitors watched, skilled artisans interwove palm strands with precision, creating intricate designs that turned simple materials into functional and artistic masterpieces. Al Shehhi explained that the process involves softening the fronds before dyeing them in vibrant colours. Once dried, they are woven into elaborate patterns, resulting in unique handcrafted items that embody both tradition and creativity.
The legacy of shipbuilding
The craft of wooden shipbuilding, one of the UAE's most revered traditions, flourished as an essential industry for centuries. Emirati shipbuilders created sturdy vessels that played a crucial role in maritime exploration, pearl diving, fishing, and trade, connecting the region to distant lands.
In the shipbuilding section of the festival, artisans meticulously shaped wood into boats and ships, bringing maritime history to life. These skilled craftsmen used timber imported from India and nearby regions, as well as locally sourced wood such as ghaf, ensuring each vessel's durability.
Shipbuilding thrived in the UAE's coastal areas, where generations of craftsmen perfected their trade. The ships carried names steeped in history, each reflecting its function—whether for fishing, transport, trade, or even warfare. Nasser Hassan Al Kas Al Ali, head of the Bin Majid Association for Folk Arts and Rowing in Ras Al Khaimah, listed several traditional ship types, including Awisi, Sam'a, Jalbout, Sambouk, Tabeel, Shahouf, Kutiya, Boom, and Baghla.
Exploring the diverse environments of the UAE
The festival also offered visitors a glimpse into the UAE's diverse landscapes, recreating the agricultural, maritime, and desert environments that have shaped the nation's identity. Through immersive exhibits, guests travelled through time, experiencing life in palm farms, along the coasts, and in the vast desert.
In the maritime heritage section, replicas of old fishing boats stood as silent witnesses to the journeys of Emirati fishermen. These vessels once braved the waves, carrying sailors on long voyages while their families awaited their safe return. This rich seafaring legacy lives on through songs, proverbs, and stories passed down through generations.
The maritime exhibit also featured workshops on traditional net-making and rope-weaving, essential skills for fishing communities. In one corner, a craftsman demonstrated the tools and techniques used in ship maintenance, ensuring that maritime traditions continue to thrive. To conclude each day, visitors and artisans gathered to sing spirited fishermen's chants, celebrating a heritage that refuses to fade.
Al-Sadu: A craft passed down through generations
Nawal Ibrahim Al-Attiyah, a master artisan specialising in Al-Sadu and a representative of the Kuwaiti Heritage Association, shared insights into this traditional weaving craft. With over three decades of experience, she explained that Arab women typically begin learning Al-Sadu at the age of seven, when they have developed the awareness and dexterity needed to master the skill. Within a short period, they become capable of weaving large bayt al-sha'ar (black tents), which provide shelter from the scorching desert sun and the harsh winter cold
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Arabian tales woven through craftsmanship
Throughout Sharjah Heritage Days, various Arab pavilions showcased a diverse collection of traditional handicrafts, each telling a story etched in time. These crafts, originating from different parts of the Arab world, reflected generations of skilled artisans who have preserved their heritage through intricate and captivating creations
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The showcased works stood out for their remarkable precision and unique details, capturing visitors' admiration with their artistic depth. Every piece carried symbols and imagery that transported onlookers through history, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of past civilisations, from the era of the pharaohs to the present day
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