Heritage and Diving Village adds slice of tradition and history to 'Eid in Dubai'

Throughout the "Eid in Dubai" celebrations this year, traditional craftsmen, folk dancers, artisans, musicians, fishermen and a myriad others harking back to the traditional way of life in the hoary past can be seen every day at the Heritage and Diving Village from 4pm to 10pm.

Lovers of history, folk art and traditional culture are being regaled every evening by a troupe of vigorous young Emirati men performing the traditional Al Ayala dance that evokes the warrior spirit and is performed with the accompaniment of a twirling walking stick and steady drumming. An open air auditorium complete with a raised stage has been set up at the premises, which will host traditional musical and folklore performances into the late evenings, next to the dramatic setting of city's lights reflected in the creek's shimmering waters. In a scene reminiscent of the Dubai of around fifty years ago, Emirati fishermen will demonstrate their traditional crafts of making and mending fishing nets, lines, tackles, boats, sails and masts, which gave them their livelihoods in those times of hardships and simple pleasures.

And how can we forget traditional cuisine? All through the evenings, Emirati women will demonstrate live traditional cookery in stalls set up all over the Heritage and Diving Village, whisking up popular local dishes for visitors redolent of the aromas and flavours of recipes and ingredients that have been passed down through the generations from mother to daughter, and which remain perennial favourites to this day.

A complete traditional experience, then, is what awaits visitors to the Al Shindhaga Heritage and Diving Village this year under the "Eid in Dubai" celebrations, where one can come away with an evening full of happy memories of the life, times, culture, music, dance and food of the forefathers of modern Dubai.