20 January 2008
KUWAIT: Kuwait's traditional markets are an important part of the state's heritage. Kuwait is proud to have these open air markets, although they lost many of their customers to new modern shopping malls that have spread in Kuwait after the oil boom.
These traditional markets are called 'souqs' and were first founded in the urban area of downtown Kuwait City. Different souqs were established near each other and for every product or service, there was a special souq. The most famous souqs were the gold souq, the cloths 'souq Al-Bashoot', the dates souq, the vegetable souq, the fish souq, Al-Safafeer souq, Al-Salah souq, and the carpet souq.
Souq Wajif or Souq Al-Hareem (the women market), is one of the most famous traditional markets in Kuwait. This market is located next to the entrance of the Souq Al-Gharabali, which is a traditional market selling mixed items of all kinds. It was called the women's market as only women were selling items there.
The Kuwaiti saleswomen sit in front of their table or stands and exhibit their goods in narrow roads.
Some also sit on the floor and exhibit their goods on a piece of cloth or straw mat. The saleswomen at Souq Al-Hareem would sell goods from morning till noon. When the temperature would get too unbearable, they would leave and come back in the evening.
The most common goods sold at Souq Al-Hareem are Kuwaiti traditional dresses for women such as the dara'a, the bukhnoq, the abaya, and others. Also some men's outfits such as the dishdasha, the qahfiya, and men's shoes can be found here. In addition to this, cosmetics and beauty products are available here such as hina, deram, kohl, and many others.
The women's market also includes some home utilities such as hammers, nails, locks, and kitchenware.
Also, knitting tools such as needles, scissors, threads and others can be found here as well. Food stuff is a part of the Souq's items for sale and a person can find chicken, eggs, rice, and other types of food at the women's market. A few other shops are available at this souq and they sell different items as well.
In the 1940s, the market was shifted to a new place called 'Al-Dihla'. The new market location was built on the old remains of torn down houses and many new shops were built on the two sides of the market. The market was also covered in order to protect the sellers and merchants from the heat of summer.
Some people still visit the women's market in order to buy all sorts of things. "At Souq Al-Hareem, you can find traditional unique items which are not available in other markets or shops. Furthermore, their prices are very cheap. I visit this market when my daughters need some traditional things for school," said Abu Ahmaed, a 55-year-old father.
The Souq Al-Hareem changed a lot after the year 1990. "Before 1990, the majority of the saleswomen here were Kuwaitis. Now all of them are Asian women who wear burqas.
They speak bad Arabic and this really doesn't match the traditional atmosphere of the souq.
Furthermore, women used to sell their handmade items before, but now all the goods are imported from other countries," noted Manal, a 39-year-old mother.
The older generation considers the Souq Al-Hareem and the other traditional markets as a place that reminds them of a great past.
Whenever I feel sad or I'm in bad mood, I go to this market or another old traditional market. These souqs remind me of the past, before all these shopping malls were built. I thank the government that they renewed these markets and didn't demolish them for good. Also, I noticed that there are always new things sold at these markets. This is good because customers will not get bored the market and will want to come back," 41-year-old Eid pointed out.
KUWAIT: Kuwait's traditional markets are an important part of the state's heritage. Kuwait is proud to have these open air markets, although they lost many of their customers to new modern shopping malls that have spread in Kuwait after the oil boom.
These traditional markets are called 'souqs' and were first founded in the urban area of downtown Kuwait City. Different souqs were established near each other and for every product or service, there was a special souq. The most famous souqs were the gold souq, the cloths 'souq Al-Bashoot', the dates souq, the vegetable souq, the fish souq, Al-Safafeer souq, Al-Salah souq, and the carpet souq.
Souq Wajif or Souq Al-Hareem (the women market), is one of the most famous traditional markets in Kuwait. This market is located next to the entrance of the Souq Al-Gharabali, which is a traditional market selling mixed items of all kinds. It was called the women's market as only women were selling items there.
The Kuwaiti saleswomen sit in front of their table or stands and exhibit their goods in narrow roads.
Some also sit on the floor and exhibit their goods on a piece of cloth or straw mat. The saleswomen at Souq Al-Hareem would sell goods from morning till noon. When the temperature would get too unbearable, they would leave and come back in the evening.
The most common goods sold at Souq Al-Hareem are Kuwaiti traditional dresses for women such as the dara'a, the bukhnoq, the abaya, and others. Also some men's outfits such as the dishdasha, the qahfiya, and men's shoes can be found here. In addition to this, cosmetics and beauty products are available here such as hina, deram, kohl, and many others.
The women's market also includes some home utilities such as hammers, nails, locks, and kitchenware.
Also, knitting tools such as needles, scissors, threads and others can be found here as well. Food stuff is a part of the Souq's items for sale and a person can find chicken, eggs, rice, and other types of food at the women's market. A few other shops are available at this souq and they sell different items as well.
In the 1940s, the market was shifted to a new place called 'Al-Dihla'. The new market location was built on the old remains of torn down houses and many new shops were built on the two sides of the market. The market was also covered in order to protect the sellers and merchants from the heat of summer.
Some people still visit the women's market in order to buy all sorts of things. "At Souq Al-Hareem, you can find traditional unique items which are not available in other markets or shops. Furthermore, their prices are very cheap. I visit this market when my daughters need some traditional things for school," said Abu Ahmaed, a 55-year-old father.
The Souq Al-Hareem changed a lot after the year 1990. "Before 1990, the majority of the saleswomen here were Kuwaitis. Now all of them are Asian women who wear burqas.
They speak bad Arabic and this really doesn't match the traditional atmosphere of the souq.
Furthermore, women used to sell their handmade items before, but now all the goods are imported from other countries," noted Manal, a 39-year-old mother.
The older generation considers the Souq Al-Hareem and the other traditional markets as a place that reminds them of a great past.
Whenever I feel sad or I'm in bad mood, I go to this market or another old traditional market. These souqs remind me of the past, before all these shopping malls were built. I thank the government that they renewed these markets and didn't demolish them for good. Also, I noticed that there are always new things sold at these markets. This is good because customers will not get bored the market and will want to come back," 41-year-old Eid pointed out.
By Nawara Fattahova
© Kuwait Times 2008
