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THE sounds of the qanun, a large zither musical string instrument played in the Middle East, echoed through Bab Al Bahrain souq as shoppers were enthralled by colourful kiosks offering an array of home-made, mouth-watering goodies and trendy attire as part of an enchanting Ramadan evening.
The Ministry of Culture’s Ramadaniyat Souq at Bab Al Bahrain is open to families and friends from across the kingdom to celebrate the holy month by supporting home-grown local businesses in a vibrant market atmosphere.
The souq follows the successful Bab Souq staged during Spring of Culture 2013 as part of the ministry’s many initiatives to raise awareness about Bahrain’s culture while also encouraging the kingdom’s start-up enterprises.
The market, located in the air-conditioned souq, featured an array of stalls offering tourists and shoppers tasty desserts, hand-made Bahraini goods, fashionable outfits and beautiful images for sale.
The event, which will continue until Saturday, was inaugurated by Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture, along with other ministry officials and dignitaries last Thursday evening.
The souq will continue to stage a variety of family-oriented cultural activities from 9.30pm to 12.30am to highlight the heritage of Bahrain and the spirit of Ramadan.
Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, the acting assistant undersecretary for tourism, said: “The souq reflects the tradition of Bahrain and we have many more events to come this month.
“We wanted to offer a place where people in Bahrain can get in touch with their traditional roots while also supporting the island’s small businesses. The first day was such a success. There was a tremendous turnout.
“Bab al Bahrain and Manama souq is now alive with tourists of different nationalities as well as Bahrainis. Two years ago, you would not have seen this kind of activity and this goes back to Shaikha Mai’s plan of bringing life back to the Manama souq.”
Saleh Isa Salman paid homage to Karbabad, his home village, with a charismatic display of handicrafts. The 47-year-old teaches at the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre how to weave baskets, mats and other artistic figurines by using palm tree leaves.
He was taught the craft by his grandfather at the age of 10 and since then has travelled the world to exhibit as well as having his work featured at traditional markets and children’s summer camps.
Mr Salman said: “I recently visited France and Germany to showcase Bahrain’s ancient handicrafts. I have taught at summer camps at different schools, hotels and centres. My village is known for making items using palm trees.
“This has been an amazing event as it’s great to see such traditional handicrafts under one roof. While there are people that know about Bahraini tradition there are still a lot of people who don’t.
“The whole point of this event is to bring different businesses together and showcase Bahrain’s hidden talent.”
Tourists were enthralled by his weaving skills and he even handed out gifts to tourists including tiny camels, rings and bracelets. The mats range between BD8 to BD10 and a small basket can go for BD6. The orders for baskets and other small items have been piling up for Ramadan as many families offer them as presents for special occasions and during Gergaon festivities.
There were also Bahraini women offering pots full of traditional Arabic food and other stalls displaying wooden trunks and Bahraini souvenirs.
Although the market kept in-line with the island’s culture it also highlighted more modern businesses showcasing baking prowess with cookies, cupcakes and Arabic sweets, or other stalls exhibiting beautiful jalabiyas and trendy T-shirts.
Badreya Al Alawai, 25, who works with the Ministry of Culture, started a fashion boutique in Riffa with her sister Sara, 29, called Jupon. Together, the fashionistas designed jalabiyas, Bisht, kimonos and abayas.
Ms Al Alawai said: “Jupon is French and is the puffy thing you put under a dress. We incorporate traditional Bahraini-style with modern flair. So we are inspired by our tradition but also love big names such as Valentino and Alexander McQueen.
“I think this event is really cool and I love it. I especially love that it brings communities together. Ramadan Kareem to all and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we are.”
Jupons designs start from BD80 to BD350 and the store is currently being moved to Umm Al Hassum.
Nearby, The T-Shirt Shop displayed funky prints with funny graphics such as Mini Mouse wearing an Abaya and Pooh Bear not getting enough of his honey.
The shop was opened in October, 2011, by Johara Al Khalifa, 28, from Riffa. The PR and HR manager of Tenmou started the business to provide guys with more clothing options.
She has around 18 Arab designers from around the world creating T-shirts for her store in Riffa. Ms Al Khalifa said: “I have designers from Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Saudi and Kuwait. I felt that guys didn’t have enough affordable and stylish shirts available in Bahrain so I wanted to give them something trendy and cost-effective at the same time.”
Her tops start from BD8 to BD15.
Aside from clothing, jewellery and photography, no souq would be complete without a range of cupcake and cookie stalls.
Sugar Cupcake, founded by Sawsan Ahmed, 36, a mother-of-five, from Busaiteen, caters by the dozen with flavours including red velvet, rainbow, cheesecake, cinabbon, rose, pistachio and more. She started baking from home because she loves cupcakes and is now selling her delicious goods at different markets in Bahrain. A dozen are snapped up for BD10 or individually at BD1.
Sugar Deals is also a family affair that includes Nader Ahmed, 40, an engineer with Zain, his mum, sister and friend. Together, the two-month-old sweets stall offers traditional Arabic delights such as the Kuwaiti Igaili and basboosa or a more modern bite-sized cake like Oreo. A dozen of the Igaili sells at BD2.5 while the Oreo is BD3-a-piece.
Mr Ahmed added: “The first day was great. I was surprised because I didn’t expect so many people to show up. They went very quickly and we will be better prepared from now on.”
Swirl Cupcakes which started off as a home business now has its own bakery in Zayed Town. The owner and mother-of-three, Mashaal Al Bayat, 34, is introducing new recipes to her mix of baked goods as well as cookies.
She has come a long way since starting as a market trader and now hopes to motivate other entrepreneurs in the baking business.
She said: “The support from customers has been amazing. We even do deliveries from the bakery. This is such a great event because it helps a lot of start-up businesses.
“Being in one single place, they can learn from one another and it’s a chance for the locals, expats and tourists to see what is out there.
“Being Ramadan, this event has a whole different vibe than most markets. It brings out the traditional side of you. While I bake the regular yummy cookies and cupcakes such as peanut butter, whoopee and chocolate chip, for Ramadan I am also offering the baklava cupcakes, Igaili and pistachio. We even have a donut with a cinnamon twist.”
As shoppers picked up their pre-packaged cookies by the dozen for BD3 or BD4, they were handed cups of chai. It was a great touch of Bahraini hospitality. Individual cookies start from 0.300 fils.
Sisters Noor Al Khuzai, 26, a consultant, and student Dalal, 21, travelled from Saar and both loved the souq. Noor said: “I love these little shops were people bring out what they have created. Most of the people here are designers and some are bakers. What’s great about markets like this is that you have everything you want under one roof from food to fashion.”
There will also be special Ramadaniyat nights at Bahrain National Museum, with live folk music every Tuesday and Friday during the holy month.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Culture website at www.moc.gov.bh
