Built from gypsum, coral stones and wood imported from East Africa

In pictures, the old souks of Umm Al Quwain ... 120 years of life

• The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain had a number of old markets that were considered an important center for trade in the region.

  WAM

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The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain has witnessed, over the years, remarkable distinction in its ancient markets, dating back more than 120 years, as it was a center of trade at that time, due to the distinct strategic location of the emirate.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) toured the old neighborhoods of Umm Al Quwain, during which she monitored its ancient markets, through the testimonies of people who witnessed the stages of development of these markets in their various forms, and were part of it.

Citizen Abd al-Rahman al-Zarouni, a resident of the Emirate of Umm al-Quwain, said that the Emirate of Umm al-Quwain in the past contained a number of those old markets, which were considered an important center for trade in the region, adding that the old market and the shops it contains are located in the center of the city and is called «Al-Arsa». It is a wide area between the residential neighborhoods where vegetables, charcoal, firewood and garlic are sold. It used to be a rug, where vendors lay the rugs on the ground and displayed the products they possessed.

He added that among the old markets, there was a fish market that pulsed with movement between merchants, sellers and buyers, and was characterized by its activity as it met the daily need of the people, and there was a date market in which all kinds of dates imported from Basra were sold, in addition to local dates and molasses, from Falaj farms. Mualla.

Al-Zarouni pointed out that among the old markets in the past there was the Banyan market (the "Indians"), and it consisted of several shops in which various types of goods and foodstuffs were sold. The Banyan market remained until the end of the Second World War, after which it moved to other places, as there was. In the old market there are some popular cafes where people gather to represent in turn a meeting place for commercial and cultural exchange.

He explained that there used to be taweesh stores, where pearl merchants from all the emirates of the country congregated, offering their trade for sale.

He mentioned that there was a so-called architecture, meaning the large old building in which food, fishing tools and ship equipment were sold, such as the architecture of the late Muhammad Al-Zarouni, which was located on the western side of Umm Al-Quwain, indicating that there was another building of the late Abdul Rahim Al Zarouni in which coral stones were sold The bim and the al-Wasl, which are brought from Sehut in Yemen, and the old building supplies for the rest of the neighboring markets, which are transported by land or by sea.

He pointed out that the old market is distinguished by its center in the city, and part of it is located near the Umm Al Quwain Creek, which makes it easier for merchants to transport.

He explained that all the shops are built of gypsum and coral stones, and the ceilings are made of wood imported from East Africa (the coasts), to be used as a support for the roofs of buildings at that time, such as the jandal and the square.

Restoration .. and renewal

The Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain emphasized the importance of preserving what remains of the old shops in the old Umm Al Quwain area, and regenerating them and keeping pace with development and modernity in the field of preservation and restoration, according to international standards, given the importance of heritage and its role in human civilization, and the importance of local heritage as the basic characteristic of society and identity Patriotism.

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