Bahrain is home to many picturesque villages, each specialising in its own traditional craft.
As we mark World Rural Development Day this month, we take a look at the kingdom’s heritage crafts, honouring the artisans, who produce diverse handiworks, from textiles to baskets and clay pots, underpinning the importance of preservation.
The annual international observance on July 6 seeks to elevate rural voices and spark developmental efforts with a clear emphasis on voluntary contributions and locally driven strategies.
Earlier this year, Hoorat A’ali, Buri, Karranah and Budaiya villages won global acclaim for their innovation, traditions and culture during the FAO World Conference in Rome, nodding to Bahrain’s significant efforts in developing and modernising its historic villages.
Initiatives like the Cities and Villages Development Project and Made in Bahrain are steps in the right direction. Among the many programmes launched to support traditional village crafts is the Naseej Factory in Bani Jamra. Inaugurated six years ago by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the mill continues to honour the 3,000-year-old weaving legacy native to the village.
Pottery is another historic traditional craft, dating back more than 5,000 years to the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Archaeological discoveries have uncovered numerous clay vessels in the Dilmun burial mounds, many of which are now displayed at the Bahrain National Museum in Manama. These remarkable artefacts stand as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of Bahraini pottery.
Sitra Social Development Centre operated by the Social Development Ministry hosts specialised workshops for ceramics and pottery. Another initiative is the Productive Families Services at Capital Mall in Karbabad, offering free display space for local creators, highlighting the kingdom’s efforts to support artisans and heritage crafts.
Karbabad is also popular for basket weaving that relies on the abundance of date palm trees here, earning the region its historic title of the ‘land of a million palm trees’.
The village is home to many families specialising in the traditional style. The popular House of Basket Weaving at Karbabad, cultural spaces like Al Jasra Craft Centre, and the farmers’ markets in Budaiya and Hoorat A’ali showcase these palm frond handicrafts, attracting culture lovers from across the island and beyond.
