ShareIn a nostalgic remembrance of the alluring old times, whispering tales of the past through its antique shops, old houses and traditional crafts, Yom Al-Bahhar village invites visitors to breathe in authentic Kuwait in every corner. During a visit by Kuwait Times, visitors and shop owners shared their appreciation of the beauty in the history that has aged.
While wandering into the place, a distant voice could be heard singing what seemed like a national song, but the words couldn’t quite be deciphered. When turning around to see where the voice was coming from, it was noticed that it emanated from a middle-aged woman. That’s when it was observed that the woman was chanting the national anthem of Kuwait, with her children repeating it with her.
Such a random incident made the realization that places like this not only revive history, but also foster a sense of patriotism. “Yom Al-Bahhar evokes scenes from ancient Kuwait, reflected in the attire of people adorned in their national dress, the vintage toys that children used to play with in the past, the presence of old shops and traditional foods that have nearly faded from history,” the woman said, describing the place.
She said the purpose of her visit was to teach her children about their ancestors’ efforts in shaping their history. “Now with the rapid developments in the world and the openness to different cultures, our children are more often familiar with the history of other countries than with that of their homeland. So, from time to time, it’s crucial to remind them of their origins,” the woman added.
Another woman, Om Mohammad, who was sitting alone enjoying the blissful outdoor weather in the village while watching her children playing, said her children have grown bored of the modern lifestyle of visiting extravagant malls in Kuwait, which drew her to visit Yom Al-Bahhar. “By visiting places like Al-Mubarakiya and Yom Al-Bahhar, we can add greater value to our children by teaching them about their heritage and how the families of Kuwait used to live in the past,” she said. She believed the simplicity evident in every detail of the place enhances children’s sense of satisfaction, contrasting with visiting the malls, which foster feelings of materialism.
Kuwait Times also spoke to various shop owners. The owner of a store with a banner showing its name as “Collectibles”, Hani Al-Asousi, a member of the board of directors of the Kuwait Society for Heritage, shared childhood memories of collecting items, which eventually led to the establishment of a large museum at his home, from which some items were transferred to this store. “I was very keen to display in my shop the objects that were widely used in old Kuwaiti households: a roof fan dating back to 1942, an old gramophone, old radios, TVs, cameras, clocks and more. Here, everything your eyes fall upon is ancient,” he remarked.
Drawn to a cultural museum inside the village, Kuwait Times spoke to Fahad Al-Abduljalil, Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Heritage, and Nawal El-Failakawi, in charge of the museum. They shared that the museum of Yom Al-Bahhar educates people about a new topic in Kuwait every three months. Previous topics covered Kuwait’s maritime heritage, the history of Kuwaiti women, the ministry of information, Kuwait’s independence, and now, the history of football in Kuwait. “We are showcasing rare photographs of pioneering players and collectibles relevant to their championships, such as trophies, medals, books, magazines and newspapers,” they said.
The last stop was at a store that displayed small ship models. Abdulrahman Al-Qallaf explained the importance of shipbuilding in Kuwait’s history. “In the past, shipbuilding was the only method of trade and boosting the economy of Kuwait. However, the craft has been overlooked with the rise of the oil industry,” he said. Qallaf added that his family tries its best to provide workshops to teach people how to practice this craft, to preserve it from extinction.
As the day drew to a close, the echoes of history lingered in the air of Yom Al-Bahhar village, leaving an abundance of knowledge and memories preserved in one place.
