A school for traditional crafts and an identity promotion center
Al Qattara Market ... a window into an ancient Emirati legacy
The market aims to stimulate creativity among productive families to develop their heritage products.
WAM
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The Al Qattara Heritage Market in Al Ain is a heritage school for handicrafts and traditional industries, a center for enhancing the national identity and preserving, consolidating and preserving the cultural heritage of the country, and a tourist attraction that embodies the indigenous local heritage that embraces an ancient folk heritage.
The director of Al Qattara Heritage Market, Mona Bin Shaiban Al Muhairi, said that “the market is one of the oldest markets in Al Ain, and one of the (UNESCO) World Heritage sites in the city called the City of Oases,” noting that its history dates back to the middle of the last century.
She explained that the market previously had several names, including the turmeric market, in relation to the spice shops that sell turmeric, and the patch market, which means fabrics, and colloquially called patches, and it was named because of the presence of a store that sells patches in it.
Al-Muhairi added that "the old Al-Qattara market consists of 19 stores and is characterized by various activities. It was renovated with the same materials that were used in its construction, namely, palm fronds and mud, in addition to the use of mud bricks and mortar as a basic material in the maintenance of the original market."
She explained that the market organization aims to stimulate innovation and creativity among productive families to develop their heritage products, and is an important platform for artisans to meet the public interested in traditional industries to express originality and keep up with modernity at the same time.
The market director stated that the place contributes to introducing the ancient cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, preserving the traditional Emirati handicrafts, and promoting them, to ensure their long-term survival and sustainability, and to encourage children to learn them and develop their products in line with the requirements of the age, as crafts and handicrafts are a sector that contributes In developing and providing job opportunities for large segments of society, especially women.
Al Qattara Market also organizes seminars in the field of heritage and archaeological sites in Al Ain, art exhibitions and activities for children and families.
Al Muhairi pointed out that the market includes four sections: the Friday Market, the External Market, the Popular Food Section, and the Workshops Section, as its visitors get acquainted with Emirati traditional life forms, whether types of folk food or traditional clothing, down to handicrafts and folk games.
She noted that the market includes a “majlis” that receives guests and visitors to spend some time in an ancient heritage atmosphere, as Arabic coffee, dates and sweets are served, with the aim of introducing the visiting audience to the majlis’s role in the authentic Emirati traditions, and the importance of preserving them.
As for the most important events and festivals held in the market, Al Muhairi considered that one of the most prominent of them is the Festival of Crafts and Handicrafts, an annual event that opens a window for visitors through which to view Emirati handicrafts.
Mona Al Muhairi:
• «The market organizes seminars in the field of heritage, art exhibitions and various activities.
• The history of the place goes back to the middle of the last century.
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