004 - Qatar National Folkloric Troupe: Al Sulaiti House

Qatar and particularly Doha has become a popular destination for tourists recently. Doha is known for its glittering hotels and sparkling malls and the development over the years has been astonishing. But at the same time, all efforts are being made to preserve its rich cultural past. One such example is Qatar National Folkloric Troupe, housed in an old traditional house. 

This house is located at  25°17'4.07"N;  51°32'48.26"E in Zone 17 Al Hitmi / Al Rufaa area. It is not a well known place, being tucked away in tall buildings and off the major thoroughfares of the city. 

Currently the main entrance on the south side. (07.02.2019.)

The original entrance in the western wall. (07.02.2019.)  

A majlis at the northwestern corner. (07.02.2019.)

Traditional wooden windows. (07.02.2019.)

A view from the northwest. (07.02.2019.)

It is not certain when the house was built. However, we can safely guess the time somewhere between 1952 and 1957. University College London (UCL) in partnership Qatar Foundation has initiated a project called Origins of Doha. They have done remarkable work on the history of Doha. I have taken the following two aerial photographs from their website to determine the time of this building's construction. 

The first picture taken in 1952 clearly shows that Al Sulaiti house did not exist at that time. However, in the second picture, taken in 1959, you can see the house and also a large scale development in the whole area. So clearly the house was built in mid 1950s. 

The above two aerial photographs have been taken from http://originsofdoha.org/doha/. 

A book "The History of Qatari Architecture" mentions this house in the following words:

The house is located in Old Al Salata. This area of Doha was named after thr Sulaiti family that seems to have owned many pieces of land here. This house is located half a kilometre from the Corniche and was built after 1940. At the time it was built, the only other building of any size was Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani Palace, which is now the Qatar National Museum. The House of Al Sulaiti is now used as a home for the Qatar Folkloric Museum. 

The current building has two distinct parts. One is along the eastern wall, which we can call the new part, which has big rooms for musical programmes and an office. The original structure of the house is along the western wall.  Which has several rooms and in front of them there is an arcade with square arches. This section was built with traditional materials according to fashions of that time. 

The above three pictures show the courtyard with the rooms along the eastern wall, behind the arcade. (07.02.2019.)

Traditional wooden chests, with beautiful carvings. (07.02.2019.)

Danshal wooden beams were used to support the roof. (07.02.2019.)

A row of rooms along the western wall. (07.02.2019.)

A beautiful view of the courtyard from the roof of the new section. (07.02.2019.)

The above three pictures show the new section, which is used by music enthusiasts. 

It is almost a square in shape with sides measuring approximately 36 x 40 m. So it is quite a big house. This house is an important part of Qatar's past. It gives a glimpse of traditional architecture and life in those days.

Tariq AmirFebruary 18, 2019.Doha - Qatar. 

003 - Majlis of Barahat Al Jufairy (House of Mohammad Saeed Nasrallah): A Traditional House in Doha

During the last few decades, Doha has emerged as one of the world's most modern cities. One can see most modern and beautiful buildings rising all over the city. Until 1950s Doha was a sleepy coastal town. But even then it had many beautiful palaces, houses of merchants and other official buildings. Many of them have not survived due to rapid development, but still, you can find some examples of beautiful traditional architecture of Qatar. 

One such example of old traditional architecture is an old house right in the heart of Doha city, in an area once known as Barahat Al Jufairy, now a part of larger Souq area of the city. It is just a hundred metres away from the world famous Souq Waqif and is located in Souq Najada at 25°17'7.73"N;   51°31'59.88"E.

The Majlis of Barahat Al Jufairy. (26.01.2019.)

The most prominent feature of this old house is its Malqaf or Badgir, the wind tower. (26.01.2019.)

Currently, the house is surrounded by modern buildings. (26.01.2019.)

A view from the east. (26.01.2019.)

The northeastern corner of the house. (26.01.2019.)

The northern and the eastern walls. (26.01.2019.)

The western wall of the house. (26.01.2019.)

Stone benches were a popular feature of the old houses. (26.01.2019.)

The southwestern corner of the house, and the wind tower. (26.01.2019.)

According to a book العمارة التقليدية في قطر (Traditional Architecture in Qatar), written by Mr Mohammad Jassim Al Kholaifi the house was built sometime during the first quarter of the 14th century AH. That means it was built between 1882 - 1907 AD. So it is well over a century old. It remained in the possession of several owners, including  Mr Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Emadi, who in turn sold it to Mr Mohammad Bin Zain Al Abideen for 2,000 Indian Rupees. The sale agreement is dated 20.03.1341. AH. i.e. 10.11.1922.

In 1978 the government of Qatar bought it and in 1982-83 it was repaired and restored. It was formally opened as an Ethnographic Museum, on 22 February, 1985, showcasing some aspects of life  in Qatar before the discovery of oil.

A beautiful date palm tree in the courtyard. (26.01.2019.)

 The south side has an Iwan, verandah in front of rooms on both the first and the second floor of the house. (26.01.2019.)

One of the three staircases leading to the first floor. (26.01.2019.)

One of the 13 rooms in the house. (26.01.2019.)

The above two pictures show the wind tower from the first floor. (26.01.2019.)

  

A room right below the winder tower. (26.01.2019.)

A beautifully decorated room with the pictures of HH the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad  Al Thani and HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. (26.01.2019.)

The above two paintings show glimpses of life in the past. (26.01.2019.)

The above four pictures are of the room on the first floor. (26.01.2019.)

The view of the date palm tree from the first floor. (26.01.2019.)

A view of the courtyard from the above. (26.01.2019.)

The first floor has only two rooms. This is the smaller one. (26.01.2019.)

A staircase beside the entrance. (26.01.2019.)

A view of the house from the east. (02.02.2019.)

The majlis, drawing room, has big windows for the fresh air and light. (02.02.2019.)

A room furnished with traditional mattresses for sitting. (02.02.2019.)

The above three pictures show the bottom of the wind tower from inside. (02.02.2019.)

The house had its own well for the fresh drinking water, a precious commodity in this desert region. (02.02.2019.)

 Mr Ali Obaidan, sitting in the majlis. (02.02.2019.)

On my second visit to the house, I had a chance to meet Mr Ali Obaidan. He is an engineer by profession and a retiree of Qatar Petroleum. Many families of his relatives lived in this area and he is very fond of this place. He is a regular visitors to this majlis. He informed me that once this building housed an ethnographic museum. But it was felt that the location is not suitable for a museum, hence after some deliberation, it was decided to convert this place into a meeting place for the general public. He also informed me that HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani took a special interest in making this decision.

Currently, the government takes full responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance. Mr Ali informed me that old residents of this locality still come to meet their friends and share their sweet memories. They come here to relax and meet their friends in a soothing atmosphere. It is a great place to sit together and discuss subjects of common interest. The management serves tea to all the vistors free.

It was a common practice to put big wooden chairs for the convenience of the passersby to take rest. And to sit and chat with the neighbours. (02.02.2019.)

An aerial photograph taken in 1959, showing the location of the Majlis. (Taken from the website: http://originsofdoha.org/doha/)

A plan of the house. (Taken from the book: The History of Qatari Architecture)

An old traditional cafe in the same locality. (16.01.2019.)

So next time when you go to Souq Waqif don't forget to visit this wonderful place. I am sure you will enjoy it, especially if you are interested in knowing the past of this country and its cultural heritage.

Tariq Amir

February 3, 2019.

Doha - Qatar.