Paradise of Dilmun

Bahraini historian Mahmood Baqlawa is using a multi-media art show, a portable museum and free cuneiform workshops to connect people to their past.

He recently released a book chronicling the semi-apocryphal tale of an ancient king of Dilmun, titled Zui-Sudra in the Dilmun Paradise.

“The non-fiction book narrates the ancient Mesopotamian flood myth and its relationship with modern-day Bahrain,” said the 52-year-old from Manama.

“According to ancient texts, Zui-Sudra arrived in Dilmun after a great flood that wiped out all living things on the planet.

“He discovered that it is the spot where life on Earth has sprung anew.”

The book contains Mahmood’s paintings of Zui-Sudra and characters from Sumerian mythology.

To the archaeologist, each expression within his arsenal of Dilmun-related media serves a purpose.

“I have created an assortment of projects, which are an idea transformed into a series of manifestations all in the same continuum,” he said.

“People understand images much more easily than text. A picture really is worth a thousand words.”

His most recent solo art show A Journey Across Time, was hosted by the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association in March.

From pieces portraying detailed seals and ancient gods to more abstract medleys of colour and cuneiform characters, 63 of Mahmood’s pieces were highlighted.

“I created the art using different media ranging from original acrylic paint to collage, stencilling and printmaking,” he said.

Mahmood is very enthusiastic about the subjects of his paintings. “Archaeology is my passion – it is something that exists in every part of the globe.

­“Ancient Bahrain is no different. Some of the most sophisticated marvels uncovered in the country were irrigation systems and even flushing toilets.

“Artefacts like stamps, coins and stone tablets are special because they were intricate and came from all over the ancient world.

“This is why I bring a showcase of curios found in ancient Bahrain to different fairs and events, so that people can see them up close and personal.”

The showcase contains reproductions of beautiful seals and other finds like baked clay, Sumerian and Akkadian cuneiform script tablets.

A reproduction of an ancient Dilmunian harp is another extraordinary item in Mahmood’s mini ‘museum.’

“Writing is the end of pre-history and the beginning of history as we know it.

“I want people to realise that Dilmunians contributed to the invention of the earliest forms of writing.

“That is why I organise workshops to teach people to write like those who lived on this island long ago.”

In the free workshops, attendees learn to write the name of ancient Bahrain and other relevant phrases on clay tablets using a flat wooden tool.

Mahmood is planning to hold more workshops in the future.

For details, follow

@mahmoodbaqlawa on Instagram.