Doha: The Katara Cultural Village inaugurated on Wednesday the Dallah and Hindam Exhibitions, which illuminate consequential components of Qatari memory and capture the attention of the public through showcasing rare artifacts and bountiful documentation materials. The opening was attended by Director General of Katara Cultural Village, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, HE Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to the State of Qatar, Dr. Mustafa Goksu, alongside a gathering of artists and those interested in heritage and the arts.
According to Qatar News Agency, the two exhibitions are held as part of Katara events hosted concomitantly with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and run until Dec. 18. These events are drawing a record turnout from various segments of the community. Through these events, Katara affirms its commitment to safeguarding the Qatari cultural legacy and hosting activities that significantly project Qatari culture within the tournament’s atmosphere.
Director of Public Relations and Communication at Katara, Salem Mabkhout Al Marri, emphasized Katara’s commitment to maintaining the Qatari legacy through its ongoing events. These exhibitions, augmented by the momentum of the FIFA tournament, showcase cultural and heritage initiatives that underscore this commitment by spotlighting the Qatari legacy and presenting it prominently. He designated Dallah as one of the exhibitions’ behemoths specializing in coffee, as Dallah denotes the traditional Arabic coffee pot, reflecting various cultural and heritage components.
The Hindam Exhibition is also among the important heritage exhibitions, addressing traditional clothing of both genders in Qatar and the Gulf states. Al Marri called on the public to visit both exhibitions to explore the treasures and heritage gems they present.
The Dallah Exhibition, which showcases Abdulaziz Al Bohashim’s collection, includes rare historical dallahs, including a Quraishi-style dallah believed to be about 130 years old and the famed Ruslan dallah historically used across Qatar, Najd, and Kuwait. The exhibition builds on a cultural vision that aims to highlight the trajectory of coffee, documenting conventional hospitality tools and other implements that shaped the character of the old majlis.
Abdulaziz Al Bohashim affirmed to QNA his commitment to familiarizing visitors with Qatari, Gulf, and Arab hospitality through the exhibition’s artifacts. The Dallah Exhibition traces the history of Arabic coffee from Yemen to Mecca, Cairo, Istanbul, and beyond over nearly 400 years. It features over 400 pieces from a private collection, showcasing the Dallah and coffee heritage, with detailed explanations of coffee’s history.
Al Bohashim further noted that the collection was acquired from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Europe, and Qatar, reflecting the exhibitor’s passion, as the exhibition showcases coffee as a symbol of Qatari generosity and its enduring presence in the majlis, underlining its role in preserving Qatar’s heritage and authentic culture.
The Hindam Exhibition, curated by Abdullah Lahdan Al Muhannadi, showcases over 120 pieces of traditional Qatari attire for men, women, and children, including the shal (ghutra), Qatari bisht, abaya, and rarer Korar-style garments, as well as about 40 thob Al-nashl dating from the 1940s-1970s. The exhibition emphasizes the heritage value of these garments, most of which are extremely rare, preserved with scientific methods, ensuring they remain visible for current and future generations.
Key highlights include a 70-year-old thob Al-nashl (Korar Shiokhi) in excellent condition, exemplifying the uniqueness and historical significance of the collection.