The Embassy of the State of Kuwait

In the past, the bridegroom, accompanied by his father and the invitees who were both acquaintances and relatives, was wed on foot to his bride's house by night in a procession. Sometimes, they were accompanied by Al-Ardha Bands (bands which dance while raising swords) singing and beating drums. The picture features the wedding procession, the lamp-carriers and the people watching them.

The Mowaddi (the conductor)

It was a work created by some people to get their day's bread. When a shopper buys a sheep or a cow, one of those people asked him to escort the sheep or the cow from the souk, to the buyer's house on foot, even if it were a far away house and got his fee.

Musaqqaf (The Bridge or Archway)

It is an upper room used as a bridge between two opposite houses separated by a road. People passed under it and the boys played in its shade in summer d

Waiting

This painting reveals people queuing till their turn comes to buy bread.

The Old School

The painting shows the Mulla (the teacher) of the school while drawing marks on a pupil's leg to prevent him from going to the sea. Also, observe one of the naughty pupils in the schoolyard in sanqal (chains). He was punished so as to be an example and warning to the other pupils who stood watching him.

At the corner

Or at the mosque of Mubarak located at Mubarak square. Daily, some people of the area - either before or after prayer - spent their time resting beside the wall of the mosque chatting and playing cards accompanied by the children of the area. Mubarak, which the mosque and square were named after, was Mubarak Al-Khalifa one of the Sheikhs of Bahrain.

Al-Samri (a kind of singing)

In the past, especially during 1940's, some people used to call the bands for a whole night singing 'al-Samri' to celebrate their weddings or fulfil their vows. Their songs were accompanied by drums and tambourine till dawn. Many people who rejoiced that kind of singing attended that night. Even women in cloaks and their children sat at a corner allotted for them.

Butbailah (by day)

That man appeared in the mid of Ramadhan and on holidays. He, accompanied by boys, roamed among houses clapping and singing reiterating : "God days come back ..... May evil not touch you " The people gave him money and food in return for awaking them to have the light meal before daybreak during Ramadhan (sohoor).

The Procession of the Boy who learnt the Qur'an by Heart

In the past, it was a habit to honour the boy who learnt the Qur'an by heart. The school ordered its pupils to serve him and accompany him while roaming - with his mother or one of his relatives - the western and eastern houses of the rich people and collecting money which would be given to the Sheikh as a remuneration for teaching him the Qur'an.

Ammariyat (huts)

Those were simple huts located at the south of Al-Safat Square (the recent Municipality building) which protected the sellers from the rain and the heat of the sun besides displaying the goods they brought from the desert.