Sharjah24: In a digital age, board games face the danger of being forgotten by the youth. At the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) in the Heart of Sharjah, however, the Al Damah pavilion is garnering special attention. Celebrating the popular boardgame around the Gulf and wider Arab region, and promoting it to a new generation of Emiratis and UAE residents, the pavilion shines light on the game that is sometimes called “Arabic chess”.
Sharjah Heritage Days, themed ‘Cultural Heritage Gathers Us', is organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. Preserving the UAE and the wider region’s intangible heritage, including games such as Al Damah, is part of its mission. On the opening day of the festival yesterday (Saturday), Emiratis young and old gathered around the pavilion in the heritage area at Heart of Sharjah, one of the two venues in Sharjah where the three-week festival will run its course.
Both seasoned players and curious novices take turns at the board, in the game that could be described a cross between chess and draughts.
Like chess, the checkered board features 64 boxes and each player has 16 pieces of “hatba” (wood). But unlike chess, the rules are different. The pieces may only move one square ahead, straight or sideways, or make alternate jumps between the opponent’s pieces, if gaps exist. The aim, of course, is to remove all the opponent’s hatba off the board.
“It is a mindgame, one that is fun but also strategic,” said Yaqoub Yousef, a veteran Al Damah player from Bahrain who is at the festival to promote the game.
Yousef added: “Al Damah is immensely popular in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar and also in countries like Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon. The Gulf countries have dedicated ‘Majlis Al Damah’ playing areas where players can compete and improve their skills. It took off in the UAE around 10 years ago. Today, we’re keen on passing it on to the younger generation to preserve the heritage of this brilliant leisure activity.”
With over 500 events and activities offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the vibrant foods, clothing, handicrafts, dances and traditions of the UAE and the world, SHD, the largest heritage and culture festival in the region brings together 29 countries this year. The three-week festival from March 20 – April 10 will be open to visitors from 4 pm – 10 pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.
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