Latest news with #DelmaMuseum
Time Out Abu Dhabi
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
A guide on what to eat and where to go in Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Adha
If you're looking to make the most of the long weekend without hopping on a plane or going full tourist mode, Abu Dhabi's got plenty up its sleeve. This Eid Al Adha, the capital is dialling things up with a fun mix of concerts, cultural experiences, family brunches and special deals you just won't be able to say no to. It's going to be a mini getaway where the whole crew gets entertained. And yes, the little ones are well taken care of. Here's your guide to what's on, what to eat, where to go, and why it's all worth a try. Cultural experiences you cannot miss If you're after something meaningful this Eid, cultural activations are popping up across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. There are lots of foodie and cultural experiences, like the chance to feast on a traditional Emirati meal in a majlis setting at House of Artisans and get your henna done and more. Head to the Al Ain Cultural Sites or Delma Museum for Eid-themed events from 4pm to 8pm on the first day, and from 9am to 7pm on the following day. In Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn will host Eid activities starting at 4pm on the first day and running from 9am to 8pm over the rest of the weekend. Manarat Al Saadiyat joins the line-up too, offering art-inspired experiences, running from 4pm-8pm on the first day of Eid and then between 10am and 8pm the days after. The best part? Little ones can take home little Eidiyas. How cute is that? Family-friendly entertainment await Etihad Arena is bringing Disney Jr. Live! to Yas Island for two days only on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8. Expect sing-alongs, dancing and plenty of familiar faces that your kids will probably recognise faster than you. Art lovers can swing by the Louvre Abu Dhabi to catch the final days of the Kings and Queens of Africa exhibition, which wraps up on Saturday June 8. Over in Al Ain, there's also some fun to be had. First up, we have the Eid Concerts at the Al Ain Convention Centre on June 7 and 8. Over the two nights, you'll get to see some of the Arab world's most beloved artists – Ayed & Aseel Hamim on day one and Fouad Abdelwahed & Mahmoud Al Turk on day two. From June 6 until June 8, there's also the CocoMelon event at Al Ain Mall, which will bring the popular children's YouTube channel to life with an exciting line-up of family-friendly activities including lively performances, creative kids' workshops, fun mascot dances, and cheerful balloon shows. As an extra Eid treat, you will also have the chance to win BAIC car if you spend Dhs200 or more at the mall. And finally, we have the Urban Crew performing at Bawadi Mall, from June 6 to June 14. They'll be around to deliver dynamic dance performances followed by a powerful mix of acrobatics, stunts and synchronised moves. Brunches and buffets for every kind of family outing From big hotel brunches to local spots dishing out hearty Eid meals, there's no shortage of dining offers across Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Adha. From festive family brunches to bed and brunch staycation offers, scores of hotels in the city are throwing a cultural celebration like no other. You could check out Layali Shahrazadat in Grand Millennium Al Wahda or Fairmont Bab Al Bahr for a lively brunch including kids' activities. For those looking to turn the long weekend into a short break, Metropolitan Al Mafraq Hotel has a bed and brunch staycation package running over the same three days. Erth Abu Dhabi is hosting a four-day line-up of dining and cultural offerings during the break, which we cannot wait to check out. So whatever you and the whole family are in the mood for, there's plenty to tuck into across the city and beyond. Don't miss out on these summer deals Abu Dhabi is making it easy on the wallet with seasonal offers that run alongside the Eid celebrations. Kids go free at several attractions and hotels, with plenty of family-friendly options including complimentary access to kids' clubs. You'll also want to check out the Abu Dhabi Pass, which offers bundled discounts at key attractions, and it's now available to purchase at a discount. Find out more:
Time Out Dubai
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
A guide on what to eat and where to go in Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Adha
If you're looking to make the most of the long weekend without hopping on a plane or going full tourist mode, Abu Dhabi's got plenty up its sleeve. This Eid Al Adha, the capital is dialling things up with a fun mix of concerts, cultural experiences, family brunches and special deals you just won't be able to say no to. It's going to be a mini getaway where the whole crew gets entertained. And yes, the little ones are well taken care of. Here's your guide to what's on, what to eat, where to go, and why it's all worth a try. Cultural experiences you cannot miss If you're after something meaningful this Eid, cultural activations are popping up across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. There are lots of foodie and cultural experiences, like the chance to feast on a traditional Emirati meal in a majlis setting at House of Artisans and get your henna done and more. Head to the Al Ain Cultural Sites or Delma Museum for Eid-themed events from 4pm to 8pm on the first day, and from 9am to 7pm on the following day. In Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn will host Eid activities starting at 4pm on the first day and running from 9am to 8pm over the rest of the weekend. Manarat Al Saadiyat joins the line-up too, offering art-inspired experiences, running from 4pm-8pm on the first day of Eid and then between 10am and 8pm the days after. The best part? Little ones can take home little Eidiyas. How cute is that? Family-friendly entertainment await Etihad Arena is bringing Disney Jr. Live! to Yas Island for two days only on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8. Expect sing-alongs, dancing and plenty of familiar faces that your kids will probably recognise faster than you. Art lovers can swing by the Louvre Abu Dhabi to catch the final days of the Kings and Queens of Africa exhibition, which wraps up on Saturday June 8. Over in Al Ain, there's also some fun to be had. First up, we have the Eid Concerts at the Al Ain Convention Centre on June 7 and 8. Over the two nights, you'll get to see some of the Arab world's most beloved artists – Ayed & Aseel Hamim on day one and Fouad Abdelwahed & Mahmoud Al Turk on day two. From June 6 until June 8, there's also the CocoMelon event at Al Ain Mall, which will bring the popular children's YouTube channel to life with an exciting line-up of family-friendly activities including lively performances, creative kids' workshops, fun mascot dances, and cheerful balloon shows. As an extra Eid treat, you will also have the chance to win BAIC car if you spend Dhs200 or more at the mall. And finally, we have the Urban Crew performing at Bawadi Mall, from June 6 to June 14. They'll be around to deliver dynamic dance performances followed by a powerful mix of acrobatics, stunts and synchronised moves. Brunches and buffets for every kind of family outing From big hotel brunches to local spots dishing out hearty Eid meals, there's no shortage of dining offers across Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Adha. From festive family brunches to bed and brunch staycation offers, scores of hotels in the city are throwing a cultural celebration like no other. You could check out Layali Shahrazadat in Grand Millennium Al Wahda or Fairmont Bab Al Bahr for a lively brunch including kids' activities. For those looking to turn the long weekend into a short break, Metropolitan Al Mafraq Hotel has a bed and brunch staycation package running over the same three days. Erth Abu Dhabi is hosting a four-day line-up of dining and cultural offerings during the break, which we cannot wait to check out. So whatever you and the whole family are in the mood for, there's plenty to tuck into across the city and beyond. Don't miss out on these summer deals Abu Dhabi is making it easy on the wallet with seasonal offers that run alongside the Eid celebrations. Kids go free at several attractions and hotels, with plenty of family-friendly options including complimentary access to kids' clubs. You'll also want to check out the Abu Dhabi Pass, which offers bundled discounts at key attractions, and it's now available to purchase at a discount. Find out more:
Al Etihad
14-04-2025
- Al Etihad
A visit to Dalma Island: Exploring UAE's pearling heritage amid a coastal calm
15 Apr 2025 01:17 RAJEEV CHERIAN (DALMA ISLAND)Slow-spinning turbines dotting the wavy landscape and outlines of settlements grew clearer as the ferry approached the coast. Unassuming of its rich past as a pearl-diving hub and archaeological site, Dalma Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, is a treasure trove of Emirati history and in the Arabian Gulf, Dalma Island was one of the earliest sites of human habitation in the UAE, which dates back to at least 7,000 years. With its abundant freshwater sources, the island supplied water to Abu Dhabi until the historical island also offers clues to the earliest evidence of date palm cultivation. Thanks to its fertile soil, the island is home to many farms growing diverse from its historical significance, the island now is a favourite destination for camping enthusiasts. As soon as the ferry anchors at the jetty, small pickups with supplies, families in their cars, and 4WDs loaded with camping paraphernalia disembarked the vessel. Window to a Rich Heritage At the heart of the island and a must-visit site is the home of pearl merchant Muhammad bin Jassim Al Muraikhi, now housing the Delma Museum after a major restoration in 1993. Despite its modest size, the two-storey museum opens a wide window into the island's rich past."All the income in the past was on Delma from diving, and pearling helped with spending on the towns and villages," read a text at the entrance of the museum quoting the saying of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."Around a century ago, when pearling was at its height, Delma was the centre of the pearling trade. The house you stand in today was built from this wealth," read another inscription welcoming the visitors to the museum. Pearling The region was a pearl diving hub until the 1950s, attracting foreign traders from across the world. Pearling was a seasonal activity and the warm waters of the summer months offered an ideal environment for diving. In the UAE, the season is known as "Ghous Al Kabir" or the "big dive".The pearl divers embarked on boats for the season which lasts for three to four months. Armed with a bag, a goat horn clip for the nose, and a rope tied along their waist so they can easily be pulled up at the end of each dive, they hunted for oysters. The dives lasted for about two minutes at depths of some 20 the meticulously showcased items at the museum are a pearl necklace, a mother-of-pearl shell, nets, anchor, diving weight, and ropes. Also gracing the museum's booths are a ledger used by pearl merchants, a wooden box and coins from bygone eras, pointing to the interaction of trade. An Extraordinary House Al Muraikhi, a wealthy pearl merchant from Dalma, built the house as his headquarters in the late 19th century. A unique structure in the region, it was the only two-storey building at that time and served as a strong room, office, court chamber and assembly room (majlis).Despite its name Bait Al Muraikhi (Al Muraikhi House) or Bait Al Lulu (Pearl House), it was never a museum also offers insights into the marine biodiversity of Delma. The diversity of flora and fauna attracted and supported human habitation for more than 7,000 years, since the Neolithic era, according to the museum. 'Little Bombay' and 'Paris of the Coast' Back in the days, the global hub of pearl trade was Bombay, and merchants regularly travelled to Dalma to buy pearls. Many traders also often financed ships and came to Delma to settle debts. Due to these strong links to Bombay, Delma's was known as "Little Bombay".During the peak of pearling season, people from the region sailed to Delma in search of their bounty. The combination of wealth and the arrival of people, especially during summer months, also earned it the moniker "the Paris of the Coast". Thanking UAE Leaders While on the ferry on a trip back to Dalma from Abu Dhabi, Hussein Khamis Jassim Hossani, an elderly Emirati citizen, shared his fond memories of the island."Long time ago, when petrol was not yet discovered, many people resorted to pearl diving, so they sell them and provide for their families," he said. "They did not have the modern technology that keep them long under the water like oxygen tanks, so only healthy people would dive down. Some would stay for more than five minutes in one breath, and they come up to catch their breath again."He fondly remembered the visits of Sheikh Zayed, who ensured that all residents of the island were provided with the best living thanked the UAE's wise leadership for providing all amenities on the island, like hospitals, schools and providing residents with best quality of life. Date Press Another key highlight of the museum is its showcase of "midbasah" or the date press that produces date molasses (dibs) and dried dates.A video explainer outlines the process in detail, offering a glimpse into the agricultural and technical ingenuity of harvest, dates were left out in the sun for a few days. Later, they were packed in sacks made of palm fronds (yiraab), and stacked in grooves across the floor. The dates would start to compress under their own weight, releasing the molasses. The molasses syrup oozes along the grooves; flows toward a hole at the lowest corner of the room; and goes straight into the jars underneath. Three Mosques Among the other key attractions on the island are the three historic mosques known for their fine craftsmanship: Al Muraikhi Mosque built between the late 1800s and early 1900s by Al Muraikhi; Al Muhannadi Mosque, which was built by Saeed Ali Al Muhannadi in 1946; and Al Dawsari Mosque, built by Rashid bin Fahd Al Dossari in 1931, according to the Abu Dhabi Culture Island, some 30km off the coast of Abu Dhabi, has a population of about 10,000, according to the Abu Dhabi Culture website. The island has an airport, schools, hospital and all modern amenities. How to Reach Delma Since there are no road links to Dalma, visitors must rely on either a ferry or a plane. Abu Dhabi Maritime offers ferry services to Dalma from Jebel Dhanna, some 250km west of Abu Dhabi. Visitors are required to check on the Abu Dhabi Maritme to book and schedule their trip. Delma Motel is the only hotel on the island, but some villas and farmhouses are also available for rent. Winter is the ideal time to conversation with Aletihad, Latheef K.V, a long-time resident who runs a restaurant on the destination, said the island's tranquility makes it an ideal place for him. "The island offers fresh seasonal produce and has no dearth of fish. Visitors, mainly campers, flock to the island during weekends and public holidays," he added. After a brief, serene isolation, adventurers and holidaymakers eventually hop aboard the ferry again and head back to their daily lives - waving goodbye to islanders, for whom tranquility is a way of life.
