Generations of craftsmanship under one roof

Twelve productive families and seven Bahraini artisans are showcasing the country's traditional craftsmanship at the "Bahraini Imprint" exhibition, an initiative by the Ministry of Social Development to support local producers and expand their market reach.

The exhibition, held at the Capital Mall for Bahraini Handicraft Products until July 30, features everything from dhow building and palm-frond weaving to handmade wool creations.

The event was inaugurated by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development Ziad Adel Darwish, who said the exhibition reflects the ministry's ongoing commitment to empowering productive families by creating sustainable marketing opportunities that strengthen the presence of Bahraini-made products in the local market.

He said the ministry continues to develop the Capital Mall into a comprehensive platform for supporting local producers through specialised exhibitions and events that attract visitors, boost sales and introduce more people to Bahrain's authentic handicrafts.

Visitors to the exhibition can explore a variety of locally made products, meet the artisans behind them and watch demonstrations of traditional skills passed down through generations.

Artisans

Among those preserving Bahrain's maritime heritage is veteran boat builder Zuhair Abdulameer, who learnt the craft from his father, one of the country's pioneering dhow builders. According to him, Bahrain's identity as an island nation made boat building an essential trade for transport and commerce, and years of experience have enabled him to master every stage of construction, from design and measurements to the final assembly of each vessel.

The exhibition also highlights how traditional crafts continue to evolve to meet changing tastes. 

Artisan Bahiyah creates handmade wool dolls and characters tailored to customers' requests; children often choose cartoon figures while young people favour anime-inspired designs.

For palm-frond artisan Um Mousa, the exhibition is also a place to teach. Alongside displaying her handcrafted products, she offers practical training sessions for visitors interested in learning the traditional weaving techniques. Participants are then given the opportunity to display and sell their completed creations at her booth, encouraging them to take their first steps into the craft.

By combining live demonstrations with direct sales and hands-on learning, the exhibition not only celebrates Bahrain's rich cultural heritage but also creates new opportunities for artisans and productive families to transform traditional skills into sustainable businesses.