When in Qatar, do as the Qataris do

10 things to enrichen your Qatar experience!

People come to Qatar with an idea of what it’s going to be like. The real discovery begins after they’ve settled in. Qatar has a plethora of hidden gems ranging from all sorts of activities and events embedded in its culture. Here are some things you can enjoy in Qatar while learning about its culture as well. You will get the real essence of Qatar through these traditions and sports. Don’t miss out on wonderful experiences!

Qatar gold rush

Gold is always in style in Qatar. With a market of steady customers, the gold buying trend is rampant in this Arabian land. Many shops and souqs are dedicated to this market. In fact there is a whole marketplace called the Gold Souq where gold jewelry and commodities are sold. The most frequent buyers are Asians and the designs can range from Arabic, Indian, Pakistani, and western cuts to Persian and Turkish jewelry.

Live bangle-making

Gold brings us to a very interesting phenomenon that happens daily and is associated with jewelry. A man sings, weaves patterns and colors into bangles at Souq waqif daily. Mohammed Aslam Maniyar sits from 6pm to 1am daily outside the Royal Tandoor restaurant and casts resin, glitter and copper over hot coals and molds them into bangles, to the awe and delight of spectators. Next time you visit Souq Waqif, make sure you experience the live entertainment from this talented man, and have some bangles created for yourself or your friends.

Photo by Fatima

Chilling in Majlis

If you are a guy, are Qatari, or have Qatari friends, chilling in majlis is the experience you must go for at least once. Majlis is an integral part of the Qatari life. The word is derived from ‘ajlis’, which means ‘to  sit’, and that’s what it implies in this context too. The historical significance of majlis was to gather people together and share common concerns, pray and pursue knowledge. Nowadays you can gather with friends and just relax at the majlis, with a number of games at hand. The hospitable environment usually has arrangements for Arabic coffee and you can order any kind of food you want.

Photo by Aamir Md. Naeem

Camel steak – yum!

Living in the desert, and not eaten a camel yet? I know it sounds a tad bit radical if you’ve never thought of it before, but do give it a try. Camel meat was a staple food for travelers and across the region and they brought it with dates to make a good trade. Camel meat dishes are delicacies in the Arabic culture and are easily available at supermarkets. Treat your taste buds to a camel steak next time you plan a dinner at an Arabic restaurant.

Dress the part – trying new things

Qatar follows specific cultural attire which is crisp and elegant. Men wear the thobe, which is a long shirt that is immaculate and neat. They wear ‘Gutra’ on their heads which is a red and white or red and black checkered cloth tied in place with a twice looped coild called Iqab.  Women dress modestly with a Shayla covering their hair, and an Abaya over clothes, which is like a full cloak. Try the traditional dress if it’s offered somewhere, along with the photography session. If you fancy the look and want to wear it sometimes, go for it and get the full attire for yourself.

Photo by Andrea Buenafe

Falcon hunting

Originally used to track and hunt down birds of prey with a falcon, falconry has gained more of a sporting fame in the current days. Souq Waqif falconry trains falcons and you can buy them from there. Be a part of a falconry expedition to get a hands-on feel of raw hunting out in the desert. Just bear in mind that it’s no easy sport and you need fortitude and consistency to train and get attuned to the falcons in hunting. The whole experience is bound to be full of adventure!

Photo by Victor Almenara

Play Dama

Dama is the Arabic form of chess. Qatari fishermen used to play it on a piece of cloth as a means of entertainment after grueling hours of work. Now the game is played on boards. Head over to Souq Waqif’s Majlis Al Dama for Arabic coffee (qehwa), and Dama tournaments. Learn the game and test your opponent over a friendly battle of wits.

Photo by Fatima Al Sulaiti

Dune bashing

Another adventure out in the desert synonymous to Qatar is the dune bashing/buggy riding. Be a part of the desert safari and see for yourself what rugged wonders the Qatar terrain holds. Couple the pleasure with a memorable BBQ on the beach after a few well spent hours of adrenaline rush riding on the dunes.

Photo by Stewart Lacey

Camel racing, get your jockey on!

Horse riding is exciting, but camel racing is unique to this part of the world. At Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack, you can witness this fast and furious race of sturdy camels on tournament days. The sport is charming for visitors of all ages; children will be especially thrilled by it.

Photo by SuhaaZ Abdulkhader

Shop till you drop

You can’t go wrong with this one. Shopping malls in Qatar are a constant pull and you end up buying more than you anticipated when you set out on the mission. Get a taste of the traditional market by shopping in a souq. Souq Waqif offers an exotic experience of shopping with its wide variety of goods. Clothes, perfumes, jewelry, pet market, scarves all sit pretty inside the souq corridors, waiting for your appraising eyes. Be ready to haggle a bit with the shopkeepers; you will master the art of shopping once you get to bargain the right price for items.

Photo by Helminadia

Cover by Asaru Kariyil