Experience Historical
Al Shindagha
Al Shindagha
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M U S E U M
Introduction
Al Shindagha Museum tells the story of the
rich cultural heritage of Dubai, the nation's
proud past and Emirati traditions. A
world-class museum committed to education,
exploration and celebration of cultural
heritage. Set along the historical area of Al
Shindagha neighbourhood, it has witnessed
the dramatic development of the emirate.
Today, the carefully curated 21 Houses within the district feature
interactive technology installations with a regular offering of public and
educational programming for families, students and private groups. The
museum also features guided tours delivered by trained cultural guides to
help bring the historical stories and artefacts to life. It reveals the
cross-cultural aspects of the UAE providing guests with a tangible and
intangible understanding of the museum. Among these Houses is Al
Maktoum Residence, one of the most prominent heritage sites that
explores the erstwhile royal residence of His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin
Maktoum Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai.
The warm Emirati hospitality is reflected in its museum's team of local and
multilingual cultural guides which is welcoming to all. Explore the story of
Dubai, the Emiratis' traditions, and the creek's history through a
multimedia experience that guides visitors through the area’s dramatic
development over the centuries at Al Shindagha Museum, Dubai’s largest
heritage museum.
Dubai Creek
Birth of a City
“Set a sail across the centuries to a time
when Dubai's modern society was
beginning to take shape on the shimmering
blue waters of its famous creek.”
The birth of Dubai’s trading industry was traced back to its
hospitality and its people’s resilience which brought visitors and
traders from across the globe. From a small fishing community
and historical buildings to the crossroads of the world, Dubai
Creek: Birth of a City tells the story of the city’s growth. Learn
more about the geography of the creek, the past generations
who settled in old Dubai and explore how rapidly Dubai has
changed along with the lives of the people who lived in the city.
Witness the dramatic development of the city narrated through a
state-of-the-art multimedia experience inside the immersive
cinema experience.
Perfume House
The World of Emirati Perfume Making
“Allow all your senses to be stimulated and
delighted in the realm of exotic Emirati
fragrances while delving into the skills that
bring them to life.”
Formerly the home of the late Sheikha Shaikha bint Saeed bin
Maktoum Al Maktoum, a well-known perfume maker and the aunt
to Dubai’s current ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
the Perfume House explores the long-standing role of perfume
making in Emirati culture.
Discover traditional methods of perfume making and the
continuity of these traditions in everyday contemporary life and
see the most expensive preserved piece of Oud weighing 28kg.
This House hosts authentic perfume workshops for groups of
guests who want to create their perfume scent or make their own
bukhoor and dukhoon brick.
Traditional Crafts
“This House celebrates the diverse
crafts traditions of the UAE and the
spirit of ingenuity they embody.”
Explore the rich intangible heritage of the UAE in the
Traditional Crafts which showcases the history of traditional
Emirati crafts that reflects social identities and the relationship
of the people of the UAE with their environment. An integral
part of contemporary Emirati culture from heritage, everyday
needs and survival. Learn how the people preserved their
creative and artistic expressions and aesthetics. Every part of
the date palm, called the Tree of Life, was used to create
beautiful and ingenious objects. The coastal, mountain and
desert communities were also skilled artisans, working with
metal, clay, wood, and embroidery. See the works of these
early artisans and how they worked with traditional materials.
Beauty and
Adornment
“This House celebrates traditional Emirati
garments and all their dazzling colours and
patterns, revealing a vibrant picture of the
lives led by women, men and children.”
Beauty and Adornment House showcases the unique
techniques, styles, and products that make up the
world of the traditional beauty of Emirati men and
women. It is an essential and symbolic part of its rich
culture.
It explores where Emiratis lived, and how their jobs, social status
and personal taste influenced what they wore as part of their
daily lives. Be inspired by the traditional techniques used to
create Emirati styles and products. Discover stunning examples
of local garments such as the kandura, the abaya, and other
traditional clothes that have developed from merely practical
attire to gorgeous, and expressive outerwear items.
Traditional
Jewellery
“Discover the materials, styles and
shapes of traditional jewellery.”
Enter the intriguing and intricate world of traditional
Emirati jewellery and discover a collection of exquisite
ornaments. The Traditional Jewellery House highlights the
rich and unique part of Emirati culture. Explore the
captivating jewellery craftsmanship in a traditional Emirati
style. Learn how the creation, wearing and trading of
jewellery has been a part of the long history of Dubai.
Adorning one’s body with jewellery is a part of Emirati culture, it
also plays a role in how an individual expresses their culture and
social status.
Traditional
Healthcare
“Traditional Healthcare explores the
role of traditional healers and medical
innovators in the UAE and
wider region.“
Al Shindagha Museum traces back the long history of
traditional healthcare in the UAE and the wider region. The
Golden age of Islamic Science and the knowledge around
traditional healthcare has evolved over the past centuries.
This House explores how the traditional healers have used
local plants to treat many ailments, diseases and illnesses.
Learn how herbs and plants such as saffron, anise,
nutmeg, lemongrass and ginger are used to cure ailments
and the role of the Atar and Hawaj (healers) in these
treatments in your next visit. Delve into the intriguing
world of traditional Emirati remedies and how Dubai
became a world-leading medical treatment centre.
Emerging City
“Follow the fascinating evolution of
Dubai’s environment and take in the
development of its architecture and
urban landscape.”
The Emerging City House explores the vision and
foresight of Dubai's founding fathers and the culture
and lifestyle of its people. It houses the legacy of
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum the father of the
current ruler, who ruled from 1958 to 1990.
Discover more about pearls, trade and oil, the souq culture and
the growth of the city. Find out how life in the city changed,
bringing new experiences and opportunities the modern city
created that we still see today.
People &
Faith House
“Discover how Islam has shaped Emirati
culture and made the Emirates a place
that is known for its courtesy, respect,
tolerance and acceptance of others.”
Built on the principles and spirit of the Islamic religion, the
People and Faith House explores how religion has shaped
every aspect of Dubai’s development. Islam is a faith of
positive action, a way of living, and a belief system of integrity
and community. It offers guidance from trade and banking to
education and how people socialise. It also showcases a room
that explores Hajj, an important pilgrimage to Mecca that
many Muslim men and women undertake during their lives.
Life on Land
“Dubai is a land of awe-inspiring
sights, where modernity coexists in
harmony with natural beauty.”
Life on Land explores the different landscapes of
Dubai. Discover Dubai’s landscapes and explore
people’s connections to the land. Explore an immersive
set of works and Audio-Visual experiences that the
House showcases portraying the range of landscapes
across Dubai and the ways in which people have
occupied the spaces and made sense of them.
Learn about the storytelling traditions of the Bedouins as they
travelled through the deserts at night, the rock art of the
ancient mountain communities, and the busy hub of activity
and trade the people of the coast excelled at.
Life on Land:
Water, Flora
and Fauna
“Explore these Houses to learn more about
the natural resources of Dubai.”
This House showcases how the wildlife and people have adapted
to Dubai’s natural environments and learned how to survive and
thrive in its landscapes. The early community developed the
knowledge and skills to find, collect and store water, which is an
integral part of people’s daily lives. In this House, you can explore
the different landscapes of Dubai which are home to a diverse
array of flora and fauna.
The Water zone explores the necessity of water for life, it is particularly
cherished in a country such as the UAE with low rainfall.
Flora & Fauna section highlights the diversity in wildlife found across the
emirate and explores how humans have learned to live alongside nature
and use it to support their own lives, from food and traditional medicines
to materials for crafts, building and trading.
Life on Land:
Expressions
“Dubai is a source of inspiration; the
natural world finds its way into the local
people’s creative expression.”
This House explores the importance of oral traditions in
Dubai. The creative expressions are communicated
through various forms like music, poetry, performance
and folktales. These are woven into everyday life and
passed down from generation to generation.
The House features displays and audio-visual installations that
narrate oral traditions inspired by nature, and the landscape, and
how these performances are passed down through generations
helping children learn about community values, morals, and familial
love.
Life on Land:
Trade and Journey
"Across the history of Dubai, trade and
journeys are intertwined and closely con-
nected - both to each other and the land."
The House highlights the close links between the story of Dubai's
trade and journeys. It narrates how many travels were driven by
the need to transport goods. In the early days, trade involved the
exchange of products and financial transactions evolved much
later. This House showcases, through state-of-art technological
installations, how trade and journeys are entwined and the role
they have played in shaping modern Dubai.
Part of the House is the Trade section which explores the goods that were
traded, their role in people’s daily lives and the different currencies used
over time.
The other section is the Journeys which showcase the purposes of
different journeys, including daily trips to the souq, seasonal migrations
and pilgrimages. It also looks at the risks involved in longer journeys and
the equipment required.
Al Maktoum
Residence
“The story that will be told here is not
one of the nation’s building but a
humble narrative of a Family.”
Al Maktoum Residence tells the stories of the Rulers of
Dubai and the House they built on the shore of Dubai
Creek. The House introduces Dubai’s ten rulers, the
values and skills they were known for, and some of the
key events and achievements during their reigns.
Explore the early eras of Dubai’s establishment and early
development as a trade port in the context of a series of treaties
with its neighbours and the British Empire. It highlights the life of
Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed and how
they guided Dubai through the turbulent times of the early 20th
Century and helped transform it into a modern international city.
‘ Traditional
Food House
“Traditional food is central to Emirati cul-
tural heritage and offers a window into
Emirati values, religion, social life and
geography.”
Traditional Food House explores the central role food
has played and continues to play in Emirati culture.
Emirati cuisine is deeply entwined with the community
life and social and religious values of the people.
The House showcases customs and rituals surrounding Emirati
hospitality; ingenious food preservation methods developed by
communities living in different environments. Emirati cuisine
evolves through years of trade and exchange between the UAE
and other nations. Food is embedded in the social fabric of life - be
it through traditional recipes passed down through generations,
homemade medicinal remedies or feasts prepared for special
celebrations.
Culture of
the Sea
“The history of Dubai has been shaped
by its relationship with the sea.”
The Culture of the Sea House explores how the history of
Dubai has been shaped by its relationship with the sea
and facilitated the exchange of knowledge and culture
between countries in the region. It explores the distinct
aspects of Dubai’s geographical location and marine
biodiversity, dhows, fishing, pearling, maritime trade, and
life for people on the coast.
Through Audio-Visual and Virtual Reality experiences, it highlights
the important and central role the sea has had for the people of
Dubai for centuries.
Children’s
Pavilion
“Children’s Pavilion displays Emirati culture in an
interactive and hands-on learning atmosphere
designed to captivate and educate children”
Discover the story of Emirati heritage told through the
eyes of two illustrated characters, the twins Hamad and
Hessa, who guide visitors through the galleries and take
them into a magical world of history, traditions and
adventure.
The two characters show children the beautiful landscapes and
travel back in time to experience life in ‘old’ Dubai. The carefully
curated House is designed to tell inspiring heritage stories to
children through an engaging, and hands-on approach inspired by
an interactive storybook for children.
The stories appear to leap from the page into the exhibition. The
illustrated environment immerses the visitors as if they were
stepping into a unique traditional tale in every room.
Event Spaces
Welcome Center Perfume House Al Maktoum Residence
Community Hall CreekHouse Cinema
Life on Land Emerging City
Curated Tour:
Community and Daily Life The People and the Sea
..
tour duration: 30 minutes
Dubai Creek House
Perfume House
..
tour duration: 60 minutes
Culture of the Sea
Traditional Food
Arts of the Emirates Community Design
..
tour duration: 90 minutes
..
tour duration: 60 minutes
.. .
Perfume House Emerging City
Traditional Crafts People and Faith
.
Beauty and Adornment Life on Land
Traditional Jewellery
Traditional Healthcare
Creative Expression Heritage through the ages
..
tour duration: 30 minutes
Perfume House
Poetry House
..
tour duration: 60 minutes
Children Pavilion
Dubai Creek House
‘
What are our visitors say
about their experience?
"The museum is beautiful and full of wonders"
"You need to visit the Al Shindagha museum first."
"Shindagha Museum has the best stories of how old Dubai came to be"
"Absolute must-visit, captivating themes and tour guides, excellent value"
"We visited on a weekday. Really enjoyed visit and found it interesting.
The staff are extremely helpful. One of the staff, a young man,
was exceptionally helpful to mother by transporting her and
looking after her wellbeing. Really kind and went the extra mile."
“An amazing experience to understand the history of Dubai.”
Visit Historical
Al Shindagha and
Immerse Yourself to
an Authentic Emirati
Cultural Experience
CONTACT US OPENING HOURS
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Al Shindagha, Dubai Creek Area Dubai, UAE
Monday - Sunday
80033222 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Booking.AlShindagha@dubaiculture.ae Last Admission
7:00PM
www.alshindagha.dubaiculture.gov.ae
@AlShindaghaMuseum *Al Shindagha Museum provides mobility assistance (buggy ride)
to People of Determination, pre-arranged your requirement with the
Al Shindagha Museum Museum representative. This is arranged on a first-come, first-served basis.
