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Walk down memory lane

Every evening, the Heritage Village comes alive in a show of traditional Emirati culture and hospitality

A stroll around the Heritage Village at Global Village takes you back in time to an era when lifestyles were simple and barter was the norm. A coffee and grocery shop, studio, an enclosure for camels, models of water wells, trees and farmlands as well as Bedouin tents and stone houses are all part of exhibits.
In the past stone houses were built to withstand extreme weather conditions during summer and winter. "Stone houses still exist in Jebel Jais along with the chain of mountains from Ras Al Khaimah all the way to Hormuz," explains Ahmad Al Shehhi, as he welcomes visitors with dates and qahwa.
The summer house is different from winter houses, he says. "There is no mud between stones in summer houses. All these little holes let the summer breeze come through. Dry leaves are laid on the roof of the stone house to absorb heat," he adds.
Hind bin Demaithan Al Qemzi, Director of Events at Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC), said that the Heritage Village relates to an era steeped in history. She said: "HHC is keen to preserve the local culture and display it to the public in the form of an open museum. The Centre has organised the Heritage Village without compromising details that reflect the same atmosphere as in the past."

Know your past

Al Hathira: It is built from stone and has a hollow interior. This architecture allows natural air circulation, making these homes ideal during summer. They were typically built near mountainous areas. As stone does not absorb heat like other building materials, the interiors stay naturally cooler. Walls had small openings to allow ventilation and the roof was made of Asbak branches.

Kirin Tents: These homes are located closer to the coast and were used during winter seasons. Cone-shaped, these structures are built from palm fronds, and resemble tents. Tall poles referred to in the Emirati dialect as yadu, that are dug into the soil to support the fronds, forming the kirin tent walls. The supporting poles came from precious palm tree trunks and the tent could only be accessed from the front, with the entrance also fashioned from palm leaves, known as arish.

Bait Al Sha'ar: Is the house of the Bedouin, made from sheep's wool. It is a shelter, where the Bedouin relaxes. The size of the house and its content of tools reflect the status of the owner in the Bedouin community.

Steam: Is the store or warehouse used to store luggage in the house and is also used for the needs of dwellers.