A fascinating glimpse into the past at the Hatta Heritage Village

Nestled between two hills, surmounted by ancient watchtowers, in the rocky Hatta mountains, this picturesque and historical village dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Restored using original construction materials such as palm fronds, mountain stones, mud bricks and clay, the site provides a fascinating glimpse into Dubai's historical past.

The Village attracted many visitors during the Eid Al Adha holidays. Foreigners as well as young UAE nationals were fascinated by the sprawling village consisting of 30 buildings, different in terms of layout, construction materials and size, each representing an aspect of traditional village life in the old days.

Many UAE national youngsters were seated in a structure built from palm boles, fronds and leaves known as 'Al Bareezab' or 'Al Sablah'. Traditionally located in the centre of the village, this was a place where men got together to chat in the night over cups of kahwa. "We have heard about this from our fathers and we are enjoying the experience of sitting in this palm frond structure and making coffee on a coal fire," said Saad Marzouki, a high school student, who had come with his friends.

Visitors from abroad were fascinated by the displays of traditional UAE crafts. They watched as a man pulled out water from a well and fed it into a canal or 'Aflaaj' leading into the date plantations nearby. Cameras clicked away as an elderly UAE national made doors using bamboo sticks and rope and women, wearing the traditional burqa, demonstrated the art of making cane mats and decorations and weaving yarn for jellabiyas. Visitors also welcomed the hot 'luqaymat' being served straight from the frying pan in another tent. A group of Japanese tourists were keen to know about 'Al Haris', 'Al Farid' and Khabisa, the traditional UAE delicacies.

The Al Husen fortress provided an idea of the life of a wali (Ruler) in those times. The majlis, lit by lanterns, where the wali held important meetings, his bedroom, furnished with a wooden bed and carved chests, and the tiny bath area with a traditional hammam provided a genuine feel of what life was like in those days.

Another room in the fortress has been turned into an exhibition area showing pictures, models and a film about the history and restoration of all the important forts and citadels in the UAE. Children enjoyed climbing up into the tower room, where the weapons were stored. The cachet of knives, daggers, swords, guns and pistols and a lifelike model of a guard peering out from the ramparts indicated how strategic the location of the watch tower was for the safety of the village. In a quaint recreation of old times, a group of UAE nationals was sitting together in the open courtyard beside a coal fire, chatting and singing traditional songs.

For those who have only seen the modern skyscrapers and broad highways of the UAE, it was an unusual experience to enter a traditional house, with its majlis, tiny bedroom, the kitchen full of utensils, the storeroom overflowing with baskets of dates and the Zareba, an enclosure for domestic animals, all set around a large courtyard. Visitors from abroad were also fascinated by the Folklore house where traditional folklore poetry from the Hatta area called 'Nabati' and musical instruments and audio visual displays of folk dances can be seen.

Other interesting areas at the Village are the 'House of Palm Products' and the 'Social Living House' that contains life size models dressed in the typical costumes of the area, photographs of social customs and models illustrating how brides were prepared for a traditional wedding ceremony.

As the sun set, troupes of dancers performed some traditional folk dances, watched by a crowd of visitors. Most visitors then headed for the beautifully lit circular watch tower guarding the Village. In the olden days, the door was 2.5 mts above ground level and the guards climbed in with ropes. But today, visitors can climb up the mud and stone staircase and enjoy a panoramic view of the restored Village and the picturesque Hatta town beyond.

Hatta Heritage Village is open from 8.00am to 8.30pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 2.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday. Entry to the Village is free.

The Dubai Shopping Festival 2005 runs between January 12 and February 12, 2005.