A Brief History of Dubai

• A trip to Dubai transports you on a journey through time.
  
  Although the early history of the area is not very well documented, archeological discoveries suggests that, as long as four thousand years ago, small fishing communities lived along the coast of the Arabian Gulf on the site of modern Dubai.
  
  It is also believed that the natural sheltered harbour afforded by the Dubai Creekwa a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
  
  In recent years, archeologists have unearthedhundreds of artefacts, including pottery, weapons and coinage, that point to civilised settlements dating back to the third millennium B.C.
  
  These historic finds have been carefully preserved and are now permanently housed in the Archeolo- gical Section of Dubai Museum.
  
  Modern Dubai, however, traces its origins to the 1830’s. At that time, the small fishing village on the Shindagha peninsula at the mouth of the Creek was settled by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, originally from the Liwa oasis to the south, led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirates today.
  
  By the late 1870’s, Dubai was often referred to as the principal port on the Gulf coast and, by the turn of the century, was reputed to have had the largest souks in Arabia.
  
  Pearling which was the mainstay of the city’s prosperity for many years, succumbed to the development of the cultured pearl in the 1940’s. But Dubai’s enterprising merchants bounced back, developing a thriving trade in gold and other commodities. Much of this history is carefully preserved in myriad forts, mosques, palaces and other historic monu-ments, which are on the itineraries of many organized tours.

Archaeological Sites

• There are four main excavation site in Dubai, at Al Qusais, Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Hatta.
  
  The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years.
  
  The Jumeirah site reveals artifacts from the 7th to 15th centuries AD.
  
  These sites are not yet open to the public. However tourist or tour operators may obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum to visit the digs.

Bur Dubai Creek Side

• The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provided the main panorama of the old city.
  
  The traditional facades of these buildings have been restored to their original state, with wooden windows, decorative gypsum panels and screens.

Clothing and Jewelry

• The Arab national dress worn in Dubai is well adapted to the high temperatures of the region.
  
  The white ankle-length, loose-fitting garment worn by men is known as the Kandoura or Dishdasha, while the women’s black long-sleeved full-length robe is also called an abayah. Headcoverings, are used by both sexes for protection from sand and the midday sun. Like women everywhere, the women of Dubai too have a fondness for jewelry and have customarily adorned themselves with gold and silver necklacee, forehead decorations, earrings, bracelets, anklets and rings for fingers, noses and even toes. Henna- a reddish dye obtained from powdered leaves-is widely used to stain the palms and soles of the feet for weddings and other special occasions.

Heritage Sites

• Dotted around Dubai are a number of historic buildings and sites that offer a glimpse of a bygone era. The following are some of the most prominent.

Heritage Sites: Al Ahmadiya School

• Established in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, located in the Al-Ras Area of Deira. The two-storey building was renovated in 1995 for use as a museum of education.
  
  Saturday to Thursday: 08:00-07:30 daily
  Friday: 02:30pm-07:30pm
  Free Entrance
  Ramadan
  Saturday-Thursday: 09:00-16:30
  Friday: 14:00-16:30
  Telephone: 04-3937151

Heritage Sites: Bait Al Wakeel

• Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Bait al Wakeel was the first office Building in Dubai.
  
  At the edge of the Creek near the abra landing, the building’s restoration was Complete in 1995.

Heritage Sites: Bin Muzaina House

• Located adjacent to the Al Ahmadiya School, the house has a large countryyard with a rectangular windtower.
  
  The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890’s.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday: 08:30-13:30 and 15:30-20:00
  Friday: 01:30pm-08:00pm
  Telephone: 04-3946343
  Heritage Sites: Burj Nahar

Heritage Sites: Burj Nahar

• One of the many watchtowers that once guarded the old city, built in 1870, the restored Burj Nahar in Its picturesque gardens in Deira is popular with photographers.

Heritage Sites: Heritage House

• The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890’s with many newer parts added in later years. It is a large courtyard house with more than 10 rooms and a rectangular windtower.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Wednesday: 07:30-14:30
  Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-2260286

Heritage Sites: Heritage Village & Diving Village

• A tradition heritage village, located near the mouth of Dubai Creek in the Sindagha district, features Potters and weavers practicing traditional crafts, as well as exhibits and demonstrations of pearl diving.
  
  It is a place where the visitor can take a step back in time and experience some of Dubai’s Culture and heritage.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday: 08:00-22:00
  Friday: 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-22:00
  Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 21:00-24:00
  Telephone: 3937151

Heritage Sites: Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al Sheif

• Built around 1955 as a summer retreat for the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the majlis is Located in the Jumeirah area near the sea and features a traditional palm tree garden with a “falaj” irrigation system.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-13:30and 15:30-20:30
  Friday: 13:30-20:30
  Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00-24:00
  Telephone: 3946343

Heritage Sites: Dubai Museum

• Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, was built around 1799, and once guarded the landward approaches to the town.
  
  Renovated in 1993 for use as museum, its colourful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life.
  
  One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and shieves. Also on display are artifacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium B.C.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-19:30 daily
  Friday: 13:30-19:30
  Ramadan:
  Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-3531862

Heritage Sites: Hatta Heritage Village

• Nestled among the Hajjar mountains and overlooking a fertile oasis, the 16th century Hatta village has Been carefully restored to provide a fine example of village architecture four hundred years ago.
  
  Con- sisting of a mosque, a fort, two watchtowers and some 20 houses constructed of stone, mud, reeds and palm tree trunks, the village is dominated by the imposing Hatta Fort which protected the inhabitants against invasion.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:00 daily
  Friday: 14:00-20:00
  Ramadan:
  Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-8521374
  

Heritage Sites: Sheikh Saeed’s House

• The official residence of Sheikhs Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai ( 1912-1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has been restored to stand proud again on the Shindagha end of Dubai Creek.
  
  The house, which dates from 1896, today houses a rare Collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai’s history.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:30 daily
  Friday: 15:30-21:30
  Ramadan:
  Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-3937139

Heritage Sites: The Bastakiya

• The old district of Bastakiya with its narrow lanes and tall windtowers provides a hint of old Dubai.
  
  A short walk from Al Fahidi Fort, it is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses in Dubai.

Heritage Sites: The Bastakiya

• The old district of Bastakiya with its narrow lanes and tall windtowers provides a hint of old Dubai.
  
  A short walk from Al Fahidi Fort, it is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses in Dubai.

Heritage Sites: Hatta Heritage Village

• Nestled among the Hajjar mountains and overlooking a fertile oasis, the 16th century Hatta village has Been carefully restored to provide a fine example of village architecture four hundred years ago.
  
  Con- sisting of a mosque, a fort, two watchtowers and some 20 houses constructed of stone, mud, reeds and palm tree trunks, the village is dominated by the imposing Hatta Fort which protected the inhabitants against invasion.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:00 daily
  Friday: 14:00-20:00
  Ramadan:
  Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-8521374
  

Heritage Sites: Sheikh Saeed’s House

• The official residence of Sheikhs Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai ( 1912-1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has been restored to stand proud again on the Shindagha end of Dubai Creek.
  
  The house, which dates from 1896, today houses a rare Collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai’s history.
  
  Visiting Hours
  Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:30 daily
  Friday: 15:30-21:30
  Ramadan:
  Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
  Friday: 14:00-17:00
  Telephone: 04-3937139

Heritage Sites: The Bastakiya

• The old district of Bastakiya with its narrow lanes and tall windtowers provides a hint of old Dubai.
  
  A short walk from Al Fahidi Fort, it is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses in Dubai.
  

Occupations of the past

• Life in Dubai was harsh in the old days.
  
  Nomadic Bedoiun with their camel herds roamed the desert. Sheep and goat herders scratched a living on the arid mountainsides. And cultivators carefully tended date palms wherever a trace of water could be found.
  
  Along the coast, traditional occupations included dhow building, fishing and pearl diving, the latter a major factor in Dubai’s rise to prominence as a trading center.

Old Souks

• The two main souks of Bur Dubai and Deira are being restored to highlight the historical commercial roots of the city.
  
  Both markets are covered with traditional roofing materials, with shops featuring old- style wooden doors.
  

Popular Sports

• Among the many traditional pastimes still practiced, is the sport of falconry, a unique partnership between man and bird.
  
  The ancient sport of camel racing also attracts sizeable following and substan- tial purposes for the champions.
  
  Throughout history, the Arab has maintained a great love of horses. This tradition lives on in the rapid growth and development of horse racing in Dubai, and visitors are welcome to attend race meetings that take place throughout the cooler months.
  

Round House

• Located on the Dubai’s Beach road on the site of former ruler, H.H.Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s office.
  
  A replica of the Roundhouse has been constructed to honour the site where docu- ments were signed in 1972.
  
  for the formation of UAE, uniting the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. Ras Al Khaimah joined later.
  

Traditional Culture and Lifestyle

• Dubai’s culture is rooted in Islam, providing a strength and inspiration that touches all aspects of every-day life.
  
  Virtually every neighborhood has its own mosque, where the faithful congregate for prayer five times everyday.
  
  One of the largest and most beautiful- Jumeirah Mosque-is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. Built of stone in medieval Fatimid style, the mosque is particularly attractive at night when subtle lighting throws its artistry into sharp relief.
  
  Ramadan, which commemorates the revelation of the Holy Koran, is the Holy Month of fasting when Muslims abstain from all food and drink from dawn to dusk.
  
  Courtesy and hospitality, are among the most highly prized of virtues in the Arab world, and visitors will be charmed by the warmth and friendliness of the people.