Arts & Music

Handicrafts:

Handicraft industry enjoys state and popular support
Village of Aali is famous for pottery
Karlabad is the center of basketweaving
Bani Jamrah is known for tapestry weaving

Performing Arts

Includes public readings of the Quran, ceremonial dances, and storytelling

Traditional Music:

Bahrain music is traditionally Arab, centered around the oud and rehaba instruments
Fidjeri is a type of song performed by pearl divers of Bahrain, which involves singing, clapping, drums, and dances with earthen water jars
Khaleeji is a type of Persian-Gulf folk music. Influenced by African music. Played with polyrhythms.

Traditional Dancing:

Fine Art

Artist Profile: Shaikh Rashid
One of Bahrain’s best-known painters Works in landscapes and abstract figurative studies Received recognition at an annual high school art show in 1968 when the late late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifaand Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa noticed his talent Was the first president of the Bahrain Arts Society when it was founded 15 years ago Current Interior Ministry Under-Secretary for Immigration and Passports

Artist Profile: Abdul Wahab Koheji
Paints traditional scenes of Bahrain. “Koheji’s works provide an important reflection of Bahraini life and its architectural heritage.” His paintings have been exhibited across the Gulf, as well as in Canada and the UK

Artist Profile: Nasser Al Yousif
Lost his vision in 1992, has continued to produce art
Recipient of the Al Dana Prize, the top arts award
Became a well-known artist during the early 1970s
President of the Bahrain Arts Society in 1983
Specializes in lino etching

Poetry & Literature:

Poet Profile: Ibrahima Al-Urayyid, Ahmad Muhammad Al Khalifa. Known for classical style poetry about romance and natural beauty.

Poet Profile: Qasim Haddad. Famous contemporary poet/advocate for intellectual and social change.