Heritage Village

 

Across from the Marina Mall is a tiny cluster of buildings worth sweating over.  I arrived at the Heritage Village at 5:00.  Due to part of the museum being outside, it is closed from 1-5.  And trust me, you do not want to be outside at this time.  It is unbearable!  It was still about 111Fand very humid when I arrived, but I was determined to see how the Bedouins lived prior to modernization and air conditioning. 

     When I entered the village, I beared right and was shocked to see a miniature replica of a desert village…With a live camel and Arabian horse in the center!  Although overwhelmed by the presence of a camel, I contained myself and walked among the desert housing, in awe of the construction and innovation.  The Bait Al sha’ar, for instance, was made of the combination of the hair of goats and sheep in order to achieve strength and consistency.  It was used in the cold days of winter and has various sizes according to the number of family members residing within it. 

Another house used during the winter months, The Bait Al ewany, is made of sackcloth, instead of animal products.  The support beams in the house were made from branches of Al-sabt and Althmam trees.  The design of the house was focused around keeping a moderate temperature inside.  To sustain this environment, branches of the Al markh tree surrounded the house, regulating the temperature within.

     Past the tent displays, were structured houses.  The first, Bait Al hassa, or the Mountain’s People House, was inhabitated by the people of the eastern mountain region.  The Al shuhuh tribe is commonly associated with this construction and used pebbles to moderate the temperature of the house.  The ceiling of the house is made of palm tree fronds, thickened by adding clay.  The result is a ceiling that is sealed from the rain and a barrier from the sun. 

     After my bout with history, I could no longer resist the camel.  Of course, I had to pet it, crabby as it was.  The trainer, prompted it to get up with a few guttural noises and slashing of a stick.  The camel responded by displaying its rotten teeth and making a loud fuss.  Once the camel was on all fours, I was shocked by the sheer height of it.  It towered over me and I was afraid that it would bite me.  But the trainer insisted, through broken English, to stand near its head.  With reluctance, I placed my head near the oversized mouth of the camel.  Looking back, I don’t know if I will do that again.

 

As I walked along throughout the Bedouin encampment, I noticed a beautiful contrast between the old UAE and the new.  The view was of a replica of an old fishing village and the new modern/post oil Abu Dhabi.  It was breathtaking.