Encounter ghosts in Sharjah Heritage Days, if you dare

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

One of the coolest – and scariest – activities at the 18th edition of the Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) is the Horror House, which lets visitors take a tour of a spooky traditional palm frond house “inhabited” with ghosts and spirits from the old myths and folklore of the UAE. These stories were popular among the older generation, and to keep them alive and entertain the new generation, Talal Al Balushi and his team have set up a hair-raising walk-through experience with the most famous haunted creatures to scare the living daylights out of you.

Baba Daryah, a male ghost who haunted fishermen out at sea at night.

Visitors can enter the house through a black curtained doorway and step into narrow and winding corridors – there is no turning back – and come face-to-face with djinns, demonic creatures, and corpses. Except that you don’t know when exactly you’re going to encounter them, adding to the bloodcurdling suspense. 

“We devised this experience as a game for children and families as a way to relieve the old stories of Emirati folklore we grew up hearing, and to let people theatrically experience them,” says Al Balushi, dressed in scary costumes.

A group of 'ghosts' pose for a photograph.

Baba Daryah, a male ghost who haunted fishermen out at sea at night.

Abu Salasel, a red-skinned creature covered in metal chains, and many more. Enter if you dare!