A journey back in time at UAE's souqs

There are no mega or super sales at souqs but you can always haggle for the best price

In the olden days, Bedouins used to meet at souqs not just to trade but also to socialise, to hear news, and share their views on important community issues. Now, people go to malls to buy their needs and to relax. Some even prefer to stay at the comforts of their homes or offices to purchase items online. But despite the rapid modernity of the UAE (note that the country has built some of the best and grandiose malls in the world in such a short period of time), the souqs are still here and thriving.
They have withstood the test of time and business is still robust. Although these old markets are now comfortably air-conditioned, the old vibe of finding handicrafts, wooden articles, Arabian pearls, carpets, coffee pots and kitchen tools, ethnic garments and local textiles, and perfumes and oud, is still there.
There are no mega or super sales at souqs but you can always haggle for the best price. And, of course, one of the striking contrasts between a mall and a souq is that you can't find or buy a camel in a mall. But travel to Al Ain, east of Jebel Hafeet, and you will find the Camel Souq, the last souq of its kind in the UAE.
You can have a tour around the pens, take pictures for Facebook or Instagram, and observe all breeds of camels: those used for long journeys in a caravan; the thin-hipped and long-legged ones for racing; and those with rounded bellies for milking. Never mind the dusty, pungent and noisy surroundings - actually, get fully immersed in it as it will give you a glimpse of how it was back in the olden times.
Surely, you will get an authentic immersion into the traditional Arabic culture.Aside from the Camel Souq, there are also other souqs that represent a traditional market, such as textile souq, gold souq, spice souq, the nursery market at Souq Al Zafarana, and the modern ones like Souq al Bahar.Another must visit souq is the so-called Friday Market in Fujairah.
Located on the edge of the Hajar Mountains, the souq in Masafi village used to be open only on Fridays but due to high demand, Friday Market is now open seven days a week - a testament that souqs are here to stay and will defi-nitely thrive in the future.
(KT photos by Neeraj Murali)
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