Ras Al Khaimah keeps culture alive by selling traditional swords and souvenirs

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The shops of traditional sticks of all kinds and old and new swords are still popular among the goers of the old market in Ras Al Khaimah, for use as souvenirs.

Shams Al-Balushi, owner of a shop that sells heritage pieces said that he started the business more than twenty-five years ago.

Awafi Heritage Festival celebrates the northern emirate's ethnic and cultural heritage.

"We have traditional sticks of all kinds, especially “Yeros” made of Mezi wood, Sidr or olive tree wood, but the most expensive ones are made of Mezi the local tree­–one of the rare mountain trees, and it also displays bamboo sticks that young people carry on happy occasions, following customs and traditions."

Al-Balushi explained that most of the shops' customers buy heritage pieces, especially swords, and present them as souvenirs.