To truly acquire the essence of a nation, one must peer into the hallowed depths of its past. Of course, what is read in books can only be imagined in our minds, and this is where Abu Dhabi takes a step further and offers an intriguing insight into the rich past of the United Arab Emirates, through its Heritage Village. If you want a hands-on approach to history this would be the perfect location to experience it firsthand – Arabian style. The village is built according to historical descriptions of a desert village and contains the authentic structures in place: an irrigation system, an old traditional mosque, handicraft stations, and tents.
The irrigation system in ancient Abu Dhabi, before the boom of the oil industry is quite an eye opener, as the scientific methods used before modern technological innovations are extremely intriguing. Of course this is not surprising at all, since the most prominent mathematicians, philosophers and other intellectuals hailed from the Arabian world, well before the dawn of the ancient Greek intellectual history, often mistaken as the “birthplace of civilization”. The museum within the village presents a quaint insight into the different aspects of desert life, so that one is transported into a genuine Bedouin camp.
What’s fascinating about this intriguing place is the demonstration of handicraft making conducted by local craftspersons. On one side, you will encounter the village pottery where people mold clay to form intricate earthenware. Venture a bit beyond that and there will be an amazing exhibition of glass-making unfolding right before your very eyes. The production of brassware is also a unique sight since there is so much of effort that goes into this highly skilled traditional craft. If you like, you will be invited by the craftsmen and women to try your hand at the various activities. Women sit weaving and spinning, and people who are watching can come and join in.
If you are looking for an authentic gift to give to someone back at home, do check out the shops that sell handmade soaps and dried herbs. Visitors will surely be walking out of the Heritage Village laden with bags of intriguing jewelry, handicrafts, spices and garments that present a true taste of Arabian culture. When it comes to accommodation, it is important to find an Abu Dhabi resort that is close to the Heritage Village and other quality entertainment sites. Out of the range of excellent Abu Dhabi beach hotels in the emirate, check out the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara for a welcome dose of 5-star hospitality and elegantly appointed accommodation.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+