Falcons, Camels, Weaving and Weddings
The celebration of the Bahrain Heritage and Culture was an outstanding day The final preparations had taken until the early hours of the morning as staff, volunteers, builders and caretakers wove their magic, transforming the Junior Hall into a working Bahraini Souq, and the Tiger Turf into an outdoor theatre.
The day began with the arrival of the Souq sellers as they brought their traditional wares to sell including: basket weaving, clay ceramics with a potter’s wheel, traditional dolls, cloth weaving on a loom, traditional clothes and food. Once the camel and the falcons were in place, the day was ready to start! Children, staff and parents were all invited to visit and experience the Souq. ‘I enjoyed the souq as it looked so realistic, just like a real one’ said Sufyan Mohammed Year 6.
The Souq was opened by Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chairman of the National Heritage Society.and also present was Mr Sael Al Waary, Chairman of our Board of Governors with other members of the Board. We were also delighted to receive Mrs Hind Al Dosary and the representatives from the Ministry of Private Education.
Our generous sponsors made it possible for us to “experience traditional Bahrain” right here in our school. We thank most sincerely, Her Highness Shaikha Nayla bint Hamad bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and also Shaikha Basma Al Khalifa, Shaikha Nouf Al Khalifa, Sheikha Shaikha Al Khalifa, Shaikha Jawaher Al Khalifa, Shaikha Lamya Al Khalifa, Dr Elham Samkrey Halim and Mr and Mrs Al Sugair.
A highlight of the day was the recreation of a Bahraini wedding ceremony with participation from some Year 6 girls, and the traditional dancing was both beautiful and educational. A musical extravaganza was led by the Army marching band and everyone enjoyed the local Jirga musicians. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the army band and the traditional band’ said Majeed Al Noor Year 6.
Children and parents visited the falcons in the majestic majilis tent, and some were brave enough to hold the magnificent local birds. The camel was also a popular attraction; “I really liked how we were able to see a camel so close up and get the opportunity to sit on it” said Nicola Payne,Year 6
Senior School Forms 7D and 7E were invited to join the Juniors and Infants to celebrate Bahrain Heritage Day. The students immersed themselves in dancing, music, food and crafts and came away with a real sense of Bahrain and its culture!
“We had great fun; we witnessed a traditional Bahraini wedding which was really brought to life by the Year 6 girls”.Zain Kazerooni
“Our day was amazing; we got to look around lots of stalls and buy whatever we wanted and do what we wanted. It was fun because it was like we were in an Arabic Souq!” Nadeem Benkhadra
“In our visit to the Junior School, we had lots of fun. When we first got there, we watched a live Bahraini Marching Band. Then we watched a celebration from some people doing traditional dances. Later on in the day, we got to see all of the stalls and got some food to eat. Some of us met a lot of friends and family we knew and it was nice to see our old teachers again!” Subhan Muhammed
The Arabic department, under the direction of Manal Al Jarrah,Primary Arabic Subject Leader, worked tirelessly bringing together parent volunteers and contractors to create this truly wonderful experience. The day was captured in film and photo, with both local media and television attending the event.
