Bedouins, mountain peoples and coastal dwellers
The blacksmith keeps the iron rods in the fire. A fishing net is ready and hompen clay await the potter. Work is underway here in the Dubai Heritage Village. Not in business or construction or oil, as in the vast majority of Dubai. But in fishing, pottery or pearl diving. The main sources of income of Dubai a few centuries ago. As a small tribute to dubai's history, the Heritage Village is an open-air museum built at the mouth of dubai creek. Gleaming skyscrapers have given way to small sandstone cottages and Bedouin camps. Forget the suite of your luxury hotel and take a seat on a carpet on the floor.
Both the life of the former Bedouins, the mountain peoples and the coastal inhabitants is highlighted here. You'll see potters and basket braiders at work, can rummage between the old weaponry or follow your nose. The smell of traditional Arabic cuisine circles the streets. A woman in a black djelaba stirs in the pot on the fire. What's on the menu tonight isn't entirely clear. But probably something with fish. The nets are still drying and the boats have just been pulled ashore.
