Know Why Sharjah Heritage Museum Is So Famous

Heritage museums or centers are public spaces devoted primarily to preserving historical and cultural information about people or places. The Sharjah Heritage Museum is no exception, and it is especially useful for those who plan to relocate to the emirate and want to become acquainted with it. If you are planning a visit to the museum, here is everything you need to know, from attractions to ticket prices and more.

Sharjah's heritage museum first opened its doors to the public in 2005. The museum, housed in a restored 18th-century pearl merchant's home, explores all aspects of Emirati culture. It was renovated and reopened in the heart of Sharjah in 2012. Bait Saeed Al Taweel, or "house of the tall Saeed," was constructed around 1795 for Saeed bin Mohammed Al Shamsi, a tawash or pearl merchant known for his height.

At Sharjah Heritage Museum, you may learn about the various environments in which Emiratis lived in the past, from the shore to the mountains and agricultural districts. This diversity was inevitably mirrored in their way of life, habits, and crafts.

The museum allows visitors to experience the unique characteristics of the Emirati people, such as their warm hospitality and lifestyle activities such as celebrations and marriage rituals, as well as their knowledge of science in the past.

Whether or not you are new to the UAE, learning about the culture and heritage of this ever-changing country is beneficial. Each Emirate has its distinct history and story, which reflects a progressive nation determined to be the best at what it does. In this episode of Know Your UAE, we look at aspects of the UAE's rich culture and learn about some of the traditions that have stood the test of time. Through visual and auditory displays of the landscape, lifestyles, traditional knowledge, celebrations, and more, the Sharjah Heritage Museum provides insight into the history of the UAE and its people.

Due to the extensive amount of information covered by the museum, our feature on the museum will be done in three parts.

The Sharjah Heritage Museum was built around 1795 by the Al Qasimi family and is mostly made of coral, chandal wood, palm jus mortar, and plaster. The house was previously known as Bait Saeed Al Taweel, which translates as "The House of Tall Saeed." This is a reference to the former resident Saeed Bin Mohammad Al Shamsi. Al Taweel is a colloquial name referring to Saeed's height. Bait Saeed Al Taweel was renovated in the 1990s and reopened in 1996 as the Islamic Museum. Due to termite and moisture damage, the entire structure was restored in 2010/2011. This restoration was carried out as part of the Heart of Sharjah restoration project.

Visitors are guided through a time capsule that depicts how Emiratis who lived in various landscapes lived. It also demonstrates the disparities in clothing, building materials, and some traditional practices among these residents. The main landscapes are the desert, the mountains, and the UAE's coastal areas.

Traditional knowledge and skills were valued highly because they were critical to the development and survival of the UAE's early inhabitants. Traditional knowledge and skills included being able to identify different types of winds for safely navigating at sea, observing the stars to calculate the days of the year, and al tajfeer (tracking), which assisted individuals in navigating the land to find animals and people. Traditional healers served as doctors and midwives for the general public.

A baby is washed with a mixture of hot water, salts, and herbs after birth. The call to prayer is recited in the baby's right ear, and the iqamah (a saying recited before prayers begin) is recited in the baby's left ear. The father chooses the baby's name on the first or third day based on the names of family members, religious figures, or the child's characteristics. Some of the techniques used to calm babies included singing, reading, protective verses (mu'awidhitayn), and feeding them a herbal mixture. Some parents used frankincense and khatf to soothe their children. Women used to give their children water laced with rock candy or water laced with dates. Women also fed their children with baby milk bottles and formula milk powder.

The aqeeqa and tahleeq are also important. Two animals are slaughtered for the aqeeqa, one for a boy and one for a girl. The ritual of shaving a baby's hair is known as tahleeq. The weight of the baby's hair determines how much silver, gold, or money the family will donate to the poor.

This was a social tree in Sharjah. Al Rolla Square is in Sharjah's heart, near Al Hisn. An old large banyan tree stood in the center of the square, where people gathered for celebrations, holidays, horseracing, and poetry recitals. The name rolla is derived from roal, the fruit of the tree. The tree was said to be about 15 meters tall, with a 30-meter wide outstretched network of branches that provided shade for more than 500 people. It is said that it was brought to Sharjah by a former Sharjah ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi 1 (1803-1866). The tree lived for 150 years before dying in 1978, according to legend. Rolla Square was constructed as a tribute to the tree.

For calculating the variations in the days of the year, Arabs developed an astronomical calendar known as the drour. It was used to predict weather and seasons. These were the seasons of planting, harvesting, pearl diving, and fishing. The year is divided into 36 der, with each der representing ten days. The remaining five days are known as 'al khams al masareeq,' which translates as "the five stolen days." Counting begins in August with the appearance of the Souhail star. The next 100 days would be autumn, and the following 100 days would be winter. The next 100 days are spring, with the remainder being summer.

Some residents in the northern emirates and north of the gulf used easterly winds to calculate their calendar. Nourouz, which means a new day in Persian, was the name of their calendar.

The Sharjah Heritage Museum has several main halls, each with exhibits highlighting different aspects of local culture. These are some examples:

The Emirati Environments Hall of the museum features paintings depicting Sharjah's three main environments: mountains, deserts, valleys, and coasts. The illustrations depict various food and water sources in the area when ancient mountain dwellers lived in palm trees and stone houses. They also show how desert tribes built shelters out of goat hair and how coastal residents built their homes out of mud bricks and coral.

A visit to the Environments Hall demonstrates the ancient Emiratis' reliance on traditional materials such as animal hides for clothing and shoes after being treated with a tanning solution. Several glass exhibits in the hall contain vintage flora. Examples include the charcoal-producing Al Samar tree and the fruit-producing Sidr tree. Other attractions in the hall include a depiction of Bedouin life and how Bedouins coped with harsh weather by relying on camels for transportation and food.

The Sharjah Heritage Museum's Lifestyle Hall depicts the original settlers' social, entertainment, and religious lifestyles. Visitors can learn about hospitality practices that were common decades ago. There are also depictions of falcon hunting and the use of camels for celebrations.

This section of the Sharjah Heritage Museum demonstrates how locals used to earn a living from natural resources. The hall also displays various currencies that were once used in external and internal trade.

Visitors to this hall learn about how Emiratis used available knowledge to go about their daily lives. Techniques for marine navigation, stargazing, and calculating the days of the year are some examples. Aside from that, the hall documents the presence of traditional healers who cared for the sick.

The Oral Literature Hall is the final stop at the heritage museum. Listen to audio files of traditional fairy tales, legends, poetry, and folk tales passed down through generations.

Workshops and educational programs for schools and universities are available at the Sharjah Heritage Museum. To accommodate all students, the programs are available in both Arabic and English. Students with special needs are admitted for free.

• Loom - "Sadu":

A rectangular wooden tool used for knitting wool yarn into a piece of cloth that was used to make pillows, tents, and rugs. These pieces can be found in the Environments Hall (desert environment).

• Aftakh:

A golden ring worn on the toe by women; is on display in the Celebrations Hall.

• Soieih Abaya:

A head mantle made of wool and golden yarns is displayed in the Celebrations Hall.

• A baby bottle:

It is a glass bottle with a crescent shape and two teats, one for daily use and the other for bedtime. This piece can be found in the Livelihoods Hall.

• Emirate's Rich Culture

The Sharjah Heritage Museum educates visitors on the emirate's rich culture as it has evolved over the years. Visitors, for example, can learn about their local ancestors' lifestyles and the ancient Arabic customs that shaped the culture we know today.

• A Unique Glimpse Into Life

Aside from being educational, the museum's exhibits and artifacts provide a unique glimpse into life in the emirate's marine, coastal, and agricultural areas years ago.

• A Unique Arab Culture

Other highlights that visitors can discover at this Sharjah museum include celebrations, scientific performances, marriage ceremonies, and other aspects that are unique to Arab culture.

• Enhancing The Learning Experience

To make visits more enjoyable for younger visitors, the museum has included folk tales, puzzles, and proverbs, which enhance the learning experience.

In the heart of Sharjah, the museum is located opposite the Al-Asrah souq, next to Bait Al Naboodah and the Theatrical Associate. In addition to the Sharjah Heritage Museum location, visitors should be aware of the following information:

• Ramps in the parking lot to assist wheelchair users
• Travel from the parking lot to the museum's main entrance
• The main entrance doors of the museum are mechanized.
• All of the museum galleries are open to the public.
• Toilet facilities for visitors and wheelchair users
• Changing tables for babies
• Room for Prayer
• Easily accessible educational space
• The gift shop
• In Sharjah's heart, there is an outdoor playground.

• The staff at the reception desk is fully prepared to assist you.
• Assist you and answer your questions
• If you require a wheelchair during your visit, please let us know.
• Inform the receptionist as soon as you arrive to provide it.
• By pre-booking, the museum provides an outdoor space for visitor events.

• First-aid supplies
• Fire extinguishers and emergency exits

The museum charges different prices for adults and children:

• Children under the age of two are free.
• AED 5 for children aged two to twelve years.
• AED 10 for adults and visitors over the age of 13.
• Free admission for private and public school field trips

The Sharjah Heritage Museum ticket price varies depending on the size of the group:

• Child tour groups are admitted for free (under 2 years)
• AED 3 per child for tours (2 to 12 years)
• The adult tour group costs AED 7 per person (13 and above)

During these dates, all visitors to the Sharjah Heritage Museum are admitted free of charge:

• Day of the Martyrs
• National Day of the UAE
• Heritage Days in Sharjah

Those who wish to visit the museum should plan their visit around the following times:

• 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Saturday through Thursday)
• 04:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Friday)

Please remember the following during your visit:

• Never touch the objects with your hands; only your eyes should be used.
• Take your time when touring the museum's various sections.
• Speak calmly when expressing your thoughts.
• Use pencils only for writing and sketching.
• No pens or markers, please.
• Put your phone on silent.
• There is no alcohol or food allowed.

The Sharjah Heritage Area or Heart of Sharjah is a heritage site located near the Corniche in Sharjah, 17 kilometers from Sharjah International Airport and 18 kilometers from Dubai International Airport. It is a popular Sharjah tourist destination for history buffs.

Please visit the Sharjah Heritage Museum in Al Mareija, Sharjah, UAE, to get a taste of Sharjah's rich history and UAE traditions. The Sharjah Heritage Museum investigates the various environments in which Emiratis used to live in the past, from coastal areas to mountains and rural areas, which are also reflected in their diverse habits, lifestyles, and crafts. The museum's collection highlights the Emirati people's unique characteristics, such as their warm hospitality, important celebrations and ceremonies, and knowledge of science in the past.

• What can you expect to find at the Sharjah Heritage Museum?

Sharjah Heritage Museum, housed in a restored 18th-century pearl merchant's house, explores all aspects of Emirati culture, from religious traditions to desert life. There are six galleries dedicated to the emirate's landscape, lifestyle, celebrations, livelihoods, traditional knowledge, and oral traditions.

• What is the significance of UAE heritage?

The UAE has a rich heritage that is heavily influenced by the country's desert, coastal, and marine environments. The UAE's glorious past has ensured that present and future generations will enjoy a proud historical and cultural heritage.

• How to Get to Sharjah Heritage Museum?

1. Rolla Square Park Bus Stop
2. A taxi is recommended.