Sharjah celebrates Kenya Heritage Week

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

In an effort to exchange knowledge, expertise and experience, which could help in the preservation and maintenance of heritage for future generations, Kenya Heritage Week will launch a series of events set to take place next Tuesday, in Sharjah as part of “The World Heritage Weeks Programme.”

The event titled “World Heritage in Sharjah” will take place at the Cultural Heritage Centre “Al Bait Al Gharbi” from Sept.10 to 14, from 5pm till 9pm, to recognise various elements of the Kenyan heritage, folk arts, music and ancient civilisation.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the events under “The World Heritage Week” were launched under the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as part of Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s activities that aim to showcase the heritage and culture of countries across the world and exchange Arab and international experiences, “allowing our brothers and friends from all over the world to showcase their cultures in its various kinds and forms.”

Dr Al Musallam said, “We are hosting Kenya as a guest at The World Heritage Week, to use the platform to learn about its rich heritage and deep historical roots. Kenya is home to a number of civilisations since ancient times, some going back two million years. During the five days we will discover from our Kenyan friends the about the diverse Kenyan heritage, folklore, fashion, music, culinary arts, and much more.”

The activities at the Heritage Week by the Republic of Kenya “Lamu Country” will include the Kenya Heritage Fair, a traditional fashion show, and traditional artifacts, traditional crafts, basket weaving, live mud show, beaded display, art and music performances such as Koma dance, stick dance and dance Masondo along with the dance of Toray Landia.

Some lectures scheduled to be organised during the event included, “The Origins of Swahili Culture, its People, Lifestyle and Traditions”, presented by Dr Muwarali on Wednesday, Sept.11, at the Sharjah Institute For Heritage in the University City.

Through the World Heritage Week, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage emphasises the importance of heritage and the need to exchange knowledge and experiences that could help preserve these heritages for future generations as it is a major cultural component of the identity of people from countries all over the world.