Sharjah24: Sharjah Heritage Days, which concludes in the historic Heart of Sharjah district tomorrow (Saturday) has attracted thousands of visitors during its three-week run, introducing them to the unique traditions and customs of the UAE and 29 nations.

One such activity is pottery, which is one of the oldest traditional crafts inherited over the generations in the emirates. It represents a link between contemporary Emirati people and the ancient eras, revealing the path of progress in the country. Emirati pottery works are rich in beauty and diversity. Many of the items used by people in the past are still in use today.

At the Pottery in the UAE exhibition, a traditional family of potters from Shamal, which was a centre of pottery production in Ras Al Khaimah are sharing this traditional art with the new generation. “We use three types of clay to make the pottery items, which are fashioned on the wheel and then burnt in the kiln. This process takes a day or two, after which the pots are painted on the third day and then baked in the kiln once more,” says Salem Hasan Saeed Albayyed Alshemeili, whose personal collection of old pottery is also on display at the pavilion.

“The red mud found in Ras Al Khaimah, known as Al Mashq, is diluted in water and used to paint the pottery items in mostly geometric designs,” says Alshemeili.

There’s still time to visit SHD 2021 and see skilled potters in action who have dedicated their life to preserving and popularising a time-honoured tradition of the UAE.