Dubai: Fancy seeing an Emirati ghost? How about taking a trip around the dark alleys of old Al Fahidi neighbourhood in Dubai on a Friday night to meet one, or more?
Well, an opportunity like this is coming up this Friday for the adventurous guys who wish to meet the scary heroes and heroines from the UAE’s folklore.
A set of seven to eight ghosts and spirits, whose stories have been rife among the older Emirati generations, will appear during a guided tour of the historical areas in Al Fahidi.
The thrilling night tour is the brainchild of Heba Bin Redha, a pioneering Emirati female tour guide who conducts walking tours in the old Dubai areas.
Heba’s traditional walking tour packages under the name ‘Kashta with Heba’ have hit the headlines in the past one year typically due to the way it helps participants explore the history, heritage and hidden secrets of old Dubai.
So, when she planned to do a night tour, Heba decided to give it a hair-raising spin.
“Just like in all other countries, there are some myths and folklore characters whose stories have been passed on from one generation to another among Emiratis as well,” Heba told Gulf News.
Though older generations grew up hearing these stories, the younger generations are not well-versed in it, she pointed out. Most expats have not even heard of them either.
“I thought about educating people about these stories and characters while we explore one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai in a night tour.”
Thus, the ghost tour named ‘Myths of the UAE’, which promises an unforgettable tour filled with excitement and horror, took shape.
“Participants will get to meet live ghost characters from the UAE myths, making the experience enjoyable and outstanding,” said Heba who will host the guided tour in both English and Arabic.
“We have actors who will role-play the characters in the attires that these ghosts are described as wearing in the folklore. There will be some background music to add to the elements of suspense and fright.”
The most popular ghost characters whom you can greet during the tour are Umm Al Duwais, a female ghost who seduces and kills men who are not faithful to their wives, Baba Daryah, an old male ghost who drowns fishermen who ventures out to the sea at night.
Humarat Al Gayla, a half-donkey, a half-woman beast, who kills children who play in the afternoon, will be a star attraction among the ghost characters.
Another spirit to appear is famous in parables popularised by parents. Umm Al Sa’ad wl Lleef kills little children who don’t listen to parents.
Heba said these characters have been part of the myths and folklore that Emiratis believed in for ages.
“They all were imaginary creations in the olden days to prevent bad behaviour among the people, make them behave well and have good manners or protect children.
“They helped to make men think twice about cheating on wives, stopped fishermen from dangerous night fishing, prevented children from playing in scorching sun and leaving home without parents’ permission etc. They will be coming alive once again.”
Details about the registration for Heba’s night tour packages can be had from her Instagram account @kashtawithheba.
