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A harmonious blend of the old and new

The Dubai Shopping Festival is more than just shopping, fun and surprises. Nostalgic moments are turned into reality as centuries-old cultures come alive, and the best of what is unique, historical and traditional is brought to life.

At Rigga Road, families queue up to ride the two horse-drawn carriages — the ‘king of the road’ long before the advent of cars, taxis, metros and buses the world over. Now, they are in Dubai, solely for DSF.

Up, up and hooray .... A girl bounces with joy on a rope ride at the Cultural Night Market in Al Safa Park. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

One of the best ways to get a taste of the old time, the horse-drawn carriage takes the family on a round trip through the busy Al Rigga street for Dh50. And what a unique experience it is to ride in a horse-drawn carriage alongside modern cars.

“How I wished to ride in horse-driven carriages after seeing them in movies,” said Rose Saldivar, a Filipino expatriate after taking her family through the experience: “I did not know that DSF would grant me this desire that I had nurtured in my heart since I was five,” she says.

In the mood for fun .... A young boy plays in the fun area of Al Safa Park. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

Italian tourist, Andre Mancini, 50, is overjoyed riding in the horse-drawn carriage that he decides to take twice along Al Rigga: “It is refreshing riding in an open carriage with the cold breeze touching my face. DSF is just too amazing. You can taste both the old and the new.”

For Abdullah Hamdan bin Delmooj, whose family breeds horses at Al Khawaneej farm, DSF provides the opportunity to show off his high-bred horses and to earn from them at the same time.

To buy or not to buy .... Onlookers gaze at the handmade splendours on offer at Al Safa Park. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

Rickshaws, famous in Pakistan and India, have invaded the Festival City and the Global Village carrying visitors, with some, only used to travelling in luxury cars.

Pakistani Mohammed Salem says: “It is good to see my favourite rickshaws at the Festival Promenade. I do not have to walk from the Festival Promenade to the Dubai Festival City to watch the Italian Circus. In just a few minutes and by shelling just Dh10, I am there,” he adds.

Entertainment .... Russian performers entertaining crowds with their tricks at Al Seef Dubai. — KT Photo by Shihab

Centuries-old desert life of the nine Bedouin tribes from the sand dunes and desert mountains of Jordan, Touareg in Central Africa, Mauritania, Kenya, Egypt, India and Morocco, and Yemen are also here to celebrate their unique experience together with the UAE for the first time.

A Kenyan expatriate, Abasi Onyango, says that seeing the Kenyan desert tribe right here in Dubai is heart-warming: “I love their dances, and their skills in handling the traditional musical instruments.”

Night market

DSF is a touch of culture and tradition and the fever spread to Al Safa Park for the first time last weekend. Hand-woven handicrafts made by skillful Emiratis and women from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine beckoned fun seekers and shoppers to the two-day Cultural Night Market.

A fun ride .... A family enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride at Al Rigga Street. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

Native jewellery, leather shoes, accessories, funky home decor, bags and dresses, cushions and wooden cooking utensils, mostly made from recycled items, attracted families to Al Safa Park.

Joy also reigned in the hearts of 30 children undergoing therapy at the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre. Their hand-made wares were sold at the market. From covers for the Holy Quran to prayer beads (masbaha), jewellery and accessories, they were all glaring testimonies as to how the DSF sets the platform for people with unique creative skills but have no financial resources to make their business big.

A resourceful Filipino housewife, Desiree Madarang, said that her hand-made bamboo plant holders, magic basket and jewellery made of crystal beads and semi-precious stones from the Philippines lured many families to the park: “I started this home-based business a few years ago. Now, DSF is giving me the opportunity to show my products, and I am very glad.”

Gold and traditional souqs

“What DSF taught me is to shop for gold and to find what I cannot get from the malls. It is fun shopping around these souqs. At the end of the day, I am glad I take time to come and shop here,” Marlyn Tomars, an American visitor says beaming.

In abundance in Dubai souqs are clothes and spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, asafoetida, saffron, black pepper, turmeric, clove and various chillies — heaped up in sacks.

The wares are spread out openly to attract possible customers without any regard for the aesthetics and it is this rustic ambience that lures shoppers from abroad, especially from the West.

Emirati Maryam Al Khindi goes to the souq to buy traditional sweets prepared by people with generations of experience: “I also get the best spices in the spice souqs,” she said.

DSF is the busiest time at the Gold Souq in the City of Gold. Visitors from all over the world crowd the souq hoping to win gold.

Al Rigga, Al Seef

Fun rides at Al Rigga are always a crowd puller. Little children laugh their nights away while on the dozens of rides. Joyce Miller, a British mum who has been in Dubai with her family for the DSF for two weeks, acknowledges that DSF is great: “My two daughters, Samantha and Lowella, are enjoying the rides and the glimmering lights from countless giant DSF logos lining Al Rigga Street.”

Indian, Amal Saeed was seen carrying her two-month-old baby in the cold night to watch the Carnival at Al Seef. Her five-year-old son, Sajjid, was clapping his hands as stilt walkers, jugglers, acrobats, clowns and dancers passed by dancing their way. “I love it, I love it,” he said.

Thousands more feel ecstatic with every performance, be it cultural, historical or traditional during this great show that demonstrates ‘Dubai at its Best’.

lily@khaleejtimes.com