The Women’s Handicraft Centre in the Women’s Union Building Abu Dhabi, off the airport road is a ‘must visit’ destination for visitors with an interest in local arts and crafts. Here one can see a range of traditional woven materials, costumes, textiles, camel bags and collectibles in the exhibition hall in the centre. Visitors can also learn about the importance of traditional crafts and how they have formed a part of the everyday life of the people for centuries. Some of the products are for sale at the centre’s sales outlet which is a boon to visitors wishing to pick up genuine souvenirs and gifts with a quality guarantee. The Women’s Handicraft Centre provides a platform for women in traditional households in Abu Dhabi to demonstrate their skills and a place to sell their products.
Keeping traditional crafts alive has been the responsibility of women in Abu Dhabi and the skills acquired have been passed from generation to generation. Eight workshops at the back of the centre is where demonstrations in the making of traditional crafts such as Arabian oils, incense, silver thread work, making of local costumes, weaving of rugs, shawls and fabrics, basketry using palm fronds or khous, pottery making and demonstration of henna art can be seen. These traditional crafts contribute to the country’s social development by providing a means of livelihood for the women.
Visitors are required to remove their shoes and leave them outside before entering each workshop. Male visitors need to be mindful that in the local culture males who are not family members need to keep some distance from the women out of respect. Everyone should remember not to take photos without asking first and then focus on the products rather than on the women.
The Women’s Handicraft Centre does a great job of promoting traditional arts and crafts and helping to revive age old techniques while providing a means of economic independence for women who would otherwise be relegated to the background. As such this is a good place to buy handmade souvenirs and gifts. Female visitors can get an intricate henna tattoo done on their hands and feet that will last for about two weeks. By visiting the Women’s Handicraft Centre visitors can directly contribute to the promotion and preservation of a little bit of Emirati culture.
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Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
