Karbabad: Basket Weaving and Dilmun History
Karbabad brings together two distinct historical perspectives. Qal'at al-Bahrain was the capital of Dilmun, one of the region’s most important ancient civilizations. At the same time, basket weaving is a longstanding craft widely practised in Karbabad.
Basket weavers use palm leaves to make household items such as dining mats, storage baskets, small bowls, hand fans and chicken coops. The craft is practised across generations. The variety of products shows how basket weaving in Karbabad is connected to everyday life: the focus is on both practical items and an enduring craft tradition.
The House of Basket Weaving is located near Bahrain Fort, in Qala’at al Bahrain Village. It includes a palm garden; the craft preserved there is based mainly on palm fronds. The house promotes the basket weaving rooted in Karbabad. The palm leaves used in household items and the palm fronds used in the preserved craft make the connection between this tradition and its materials especially clear.
Culture and dining in the wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah
Across the wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah, museums, performance venues and markets offer further perspectives on its cultural and dining scene. The Bahrain National Museum opened in 1988 and is located in Manama, on an artificial peninsula overlooking Muharraq. Its six main halls are devoted to burial mounds, Dilmun, Tylos and Islam, customs and traditions, traditional crafts, and documents and manuscripts. The range of subjects spans early history, crafts and written records.
The Manama Post Office Museum, the original post office of Manama, offers a different historical perspective. It displays stamps, memorabilia and historical photographs about the history of postal services in Bahrain and is located just behind Bab Al Bahrain. The Khalaf House in Manama illustrates the city’s historical links to the pearl industry and trade. Together, these places offer different insights into postal history, trade and Manama’s development.
The Bahrain National Theatre is also one of the cultural attractions in the wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah. It opened in November 2012 and overlooks the sea. International performances held there have included appearances by the Orchestra of the 21st Century of Russia, Yanni, Placido Domingo, the Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballets, and Il Divo. These examples describe past events, not a current programme.
The markets offer different options for shopping and dining. Bab Al Bahrain Souq has more than 30 shops as well as cafés with a wide selection of food and drinks. Manama Souq is near Bab Al Bahrain in the centre of Manama. Its shops sell souvenirs, gold, spices and textiles; there are also traditional cafés. The selection of goods and dining options may change.
Block 338 offers a different culinary experience: it is a pedestrian district in the heart of Adliya. Its restaurants serve festive meals, traditional Bahraini dishes and drinks. This makes it possible to choose between the atmosphere of a souq and a restaurant district within the wider destination of Muhafazat Al-Asimah. When choosing a theme, Karbabad’s basket-weaving tradition and Dilmun history sit alongside the museums, performances, shopping areas and restaurants of the wider destination.
Discover more destinations: Hamala, Saar, Zallaq.
Back to the destination overview: Bahrain.
