Reliving Emirati traditions

But, as visitors get closer, that “picture frame” starts giving them a glimpse of UAE’s traditional life made alive by Emirati families making their own barbecue kebab. Men are sipping cups of Arabic coffee while children are playing around.

On its third year, the Family Desert Camp, one of the main events of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), has several natural enclosures made of hand-woven palm leaves with either a single or a couple of tents in them.

Scattered in an area measuring 500 meters by 600 meters are 35 tents offering families and visitors the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to get close and personal to the traditional Bedouin lifestyle, which has eluded the new generation as Dubai takes giant steps forward into modernisation.

A wide range of activities awaits families at the camp in a way much different from the bustle of the metropolis. Horse and camel riding, art, drama, cooking and handicrafts are a few in the package that will enable them to experience the rich UAE culture and tradition.

A first timer in the camp, Ahmed Al Hashimy who spent the night in the camp with his family and in-laws and the families of his three brothers, told Khaleej Times that his family drove to the desert camp after hearing about it from radio. “We do barbecue together at this open space where we can look at the sky and enjoy the fun together with our children. Here, we experience privacy as a big family in a traditional setting that none of us has ever lived before.”

A 57-year-old Emirati, Mohammed, who was watching his grandson fanning the flame with a traditional fan for the barbecue, said that the desert camp makes today’s Emiratis relive the past. “We made a campfire, barbecue and sip Arabic coffee the way our ancestors did. Our grandparents used to swim and dive for pearls without any modern equipment. Yet, they had been successful in their pearl diving and made lots of money. We cannot relive that part of the past. But, here in this camp, we can have a bit of their life in the desert sand.”

Alia Al Abdooli, who camped together with her four sisters and their families, said their children had the opportunity to know the UAE culture, life in a desert tent and the things they can do in an open desert.

“The weather is good, and the children enjoy playing around as we can stay here from 2pm until 12 noon the following day. This is a very educational weekend camp, which every Emirati youth and kid should know about to understand UAE’s tradition and culture and our ancestor’s life and lifestyle.”

At the camp, majority of the men go for quad biking and younger ones go for camel and horse rides. Others prefer the four-wheel desert drive.

A dedicated children area is also built in the camp to ensure the kids are entertained and their leisure needs are fully met. Children have fun and enjoy various games and activities while learning and developing new skills.

Mohamed Elassy, project manager, said that the camp was designed and conceived to give the public the opportunity to bask in the beautiful desert landscape and, at the same time, enjoy the entertainment and services especially packaged to make their stay memorable.

The camp, which witnesses a lot of demand during the weekends and holiday season, has a mosque, toilets, water, lighting as well as individual tents to give each family the privacy and comfort it needs.

He said that the camp has 15 shops of traditional Arabic food and drinks that complement the other facilities and activities families can avail of inside the camp.

Open until February 20, the camp offers visitors several options of renting the tents for days or enjoying a wide array of activities, including camel rides, quad bikes and horse riding, barbecue facilities and a food court that serves local cuisine, among others.

The rates vary according to the number of people occupying the tents. The Al Majlis (12m X 6m), costing Dh1,500, is for parties and short visits with no accommodation allowed for this particular tent.

Al Areesh (6m X 4m) costs Dh200 with reservation for five or six hours. Royal tent (8m X 6m) is available for Dh1,000; Large tent (8m X 6m) for Dh750; and Small tent (6m X 4m) for Dh400. The rate is for the .

The package comprises of camp ground, markets and restaurants for the facilities and entertainment of the families in addition to fun-filled cultural activities.

lily@khaleejtimes.com