A street full of cultures

A fusion of culture is fast turning Al Seef Street into an international bazaar, boasting of the best handicrafts, traditional performances, antique collections and souvenirs from the UAE, Syria, Egypt, Oman, Morocco, Yemen, Thailand and other countries.

Dubbed as Dubai Bazaar, the 32 shops display carpets of all kinds, antiques ranging from the oldest telephone set in the Middle East to traditional and modern accessories, musical instruments, decor, jewellery and traditional sweets.

British couple Dianne and Kevin, can hardly believe what they see in Al Seef. “I find the bazaar culture-filled. I have not seen this in other countries we have gone been to,” Kevin said. His wife says that it is a city in itself. I do not have to go to Syria to get their traditional brass carvings or to Egypt to buy a papyrus art and shell-laden furniture. Even watches like Ted Lapidos or Jacques Bogart, everything I fancy is here,” Dianne explains.

Mohammed Abdullah, in one of 12 kiosks in Al Seef, says that he has simply inherited the watch business of his father, who has been doing it for past 20 years. “This is the first time we join in DSF. Yet, this is a place where people from all walks of life and from various nationalities merge with us. I love it, and definitely, I will participate again next year,” the very excited Abdullah says.

Stepping into the Syrian gift shop, visitors particularly Arabs find the antique ‘rababa’ musical instrument, brass ‘mansaf’ with intricate carvings, and the ‘Shatabak’ for cooking harish and any Arabic food interesting. “Riyas Mohammed, the shop owner, says that his goods worth Dh20,000 have been brought all the way from Syria just for the DSF. “I am glad that some Dh3,000 to Dh4,000 comes into my coffers on Thursday and Fridays where huge crowds fill every inch of this area,” he said. “It is lower than this on week days, but the most important is, Dubai residents and tourists know our shop and what we are selling.”

Siddeq Ahmad Yousif, senior executive events and manager for DSF in Al Seef Street, told Khaleej Times that the entire bazaar comprises 32 shops, 12 kiosks and three tents. Many of these are businesses brought to DSF from other countries for the first time.

Visitors can also watch Mhd Mhd Karim melting and fashioning, in a glass kiln, all forms and shapes of Syrian glasses that Syria used for centuries to keep perfume, flower vases and decor.

Majority of the shops sell souvenirs like coins, toys, watches, necklaces, accessories, traditionally-designed dresses, paintings, stickers and antique household decors and housewares.

Emirati Muntaja Mahlos from Al Ain says that locals and most Indian and Europeans families visiting her shop have bought something to take home, but the most saleable are the accessories, souvenirs, dresses.

Maryam Atia Ahmed, whose shop is displaying traditional and modern abayas, wedding dresses, watches, books for painting and necklaces, says that customers from various nationalities have come to see and buy her wares. “This is the first time that I have joined DSF, and it is very rewarding. I earn Dh500 and more on weekdays, and between Dh1,000 and Dh5,000 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Ali Al Qamish, Yemeni shop owner, cannot hide his gratitude to DSF and the Dubai government for the good things happening to his business. His shop has Arabic perfumes, accessories, necklaces and handicrafts. But, what he cherishes most is the connections he has developed this DSF, “Here is the world, people from different countries come. I also learn about their culture as they start looking for things which we may have or may not have. It gives us and idea of what DSF visitors need. I have made lots of friends.”

Egyptian merchant, Khaled Mohamed, who has been in the ‘Tawlah’ or wooden furniture business inlaid with expensive and selected shells from the Mediterranean, says that it takes three days to do a table or a chair, which he is selling at his shop. His partner, Reda Mohamed, 32, who makes containers for perfume makes Dh200 to Dh300 on weekdays and more than Dh500 on weekends.

Even as people continue to troop into Al Seef day in and day out during the 32 days of DSF, shoppers and shop owners, visitors and residents alike, will continue to preserve the precious moments. All this can only happen in this ‘little city’ that DSF has made possible.

lily@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE