Dubai Museum-A Photo Journal

As I sit outside on my balcony overlooking Dubai Creek, I am reminded of the video game titled, “SIM CITY.” Endless buildings protrude the skyline as far as the eye can see. The freeways, lined with rows of vibrant flowers, bustle with shinny SUVS and taxis. The city is bursting with life. What was life like here in Dubai, before it became known as, “The City of Bling?

To quench my thirst for knowledge of the past, I visited The Dubai Museum. Known for its working models and life-size displays, the Dubai Museum was established in 1970. The museum is housed in the impressive Al Fahidi fort, the oldest building in the city of Dubai.

Colorful and elaborate dioramas coupled with sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday life during the pre-oil days. Galleries show scenes from the waterfront, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life. One of the most fascinating exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving.

This is a photo account of my experience at the Dubai Museum.

Before 1960, the only settlements in Dubai were small towns and villages. This is a view of what would have been a typical Emirati house. Most dwellings consisted of two rooms. A female bathroom was attached to the bedroom and males used the great outdoors.

For most Emirati women the home was the basic sphere of activity. This mannequin is wearing the traditional head covering that many women still wear today. The black masks cover most of the face, displaying only the eyes. Often the masks are made with layers of gauze-like cloth. Sometimes they are decorated with fringes, sequins, or beads.

Religious training is vital to Muslims. In traditional Muslim education, children are taught to read and sometimes speak Arabic and memorize major sections of the Qur’an.

Some Muslims believe that only vocal music is permissible and that instruments are forbidden. Other Muslims will accept drums. Yet many Muslims believe that any instrument is lawful as long as it is used for the permissible kinds of music.

Life for the Emirati people centered around water. Necessary for survival, they depended on pearl diving as their main source of income. One of the most interesting exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights and scales.

After visiting the Dubai museum, I walked away with a better understanding and appreciation for the Emirati people of Dubai. I gained valuable insight into the evolution of the culture and civilization here.