Thursday, May 27, 2010

Heritage Museum, Q8

I think the Heritage Museum is the best part of Kuwait National Museum. Personally it’s my favorite. It's a museum about Kuwait’s heritage. It gives you a picture about Kuwait during the 40's and 50's. A visit to the museum is an enlightening and educational experience.

The displays include statues imitating the old ways of Kuwait. On the both sides of the narrow path, you will catch a glimpse of Kuwait's life from merchants selling their goods to what a typical Kuwaiti house looked like before the invasion of modern technology. Also there are old black and white photos dating back to 1940’s. You will come to know that Kuwait was once a simple trading hub and that a lot of people depended on the sea for earnings.




As you enter the museum on the left side is a library of old Arabic books. We did not understand what the books are all about as there were no explanations in English. But the other displays are nicely explained in English. The first statue is that of “Al Natur”( guard of the market). His duty was the security and maintenance of the market. Then there is “Al Bajajas” or the Jew market as all the vendors were Jewish. They imported things from India and sold it to the Kuwaiti people. “Al Bourkhotaah”(originally Indian word) is the shop that sells utensils and household items. Most of the items were imported from India. Then there is “Al Kharaj”, who sold leather products mainly shoes of camel and sheep skin. ‘Al Khabooj” is the oldest market in Kuwait, who makes and sells bread. “Al Tamoor”, locally known as “Al Tamar” was the Dates Market. Varieties of dates are displayed which are kept in wooden boxes. Al Behri is the most costly dates and it’s from the Basra district of Iraq. Also the Arms Market, where different types of guns were sold and repaired. They were mainly imported from Europe. Al Naddaf and Al Haddad are also exhibited."Al Naddaf"  is the person who prepares the cotton and fiils it in different items made from textiles like mattresses, seats and cushions.  "Al Haddad" is the Arabic name for blacksmith, one of Kuwait's oldest crafts serving local needs for iron products." Souq Al Haddadin"  is one of Kuwait's Oldest market. Also beautifully projected is "Al Qaffas", the name give to the person who manufactures products made from palm tree banches such as birdcages, beds and others. These products were considered very important for the daily life of Kuwaitis in the past. "Al Saffar" is the name given to the person who makes copper utensils and accessories. In the past " Souq Al-Safafir"  was the marketplace for copper utensils and accessories. Shops selling grocery ‘Bakala’; shops selling cloths “ Bishoyts”; curtain maker “Al Gatan”; “Al Safat Square”, which was a commercial area for long time, where convoy’s meet and exchanged products, then Al Sadu weaving which is their traditional weaving are all presented attractively. Then Madrassa’s, Diwaniya, Bride’s room, Family Room, Kitchen, Inner courtyard of a Kuwaiti household etc which are part of a Kuwaiti house are attractively displayed. In the past Kuwaiti’s mainly depended on ship building and pearl diving to earn their living. Building sailing ships was known as " Al Qallafa" and this industry became popular and grew over the past three centuries and played an intergral role in Kuwait's economy in the past. This glorious past of Kuwait is also vividly displayed.


Apart from the daily life been projected in statues and images, there are a few antique's on display such as gramophones, camera's, radio’s, weapons, jewelry, clothing ( men and women), Chinese items mainly household pots, plates, incense holder and sprays of different shapes and sizes and a lot more to see and learn….

It was an amazing and entertaining experience. We enjoy every time we visit this museum. A  MUST VISIT for citizens, residents and visitors.

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