ONE of Bahrain’s most treasured villages is set to receive a facelift to transform it into a modern tourism destination celebrating its historic basket-weaving traditions.
The Capital Trustees Board unanimously approved several infrastructure projects that include roads, sewage, electricity and water, and lighting improvements for Karbabad village.
It has also sent requests to the ministers and government bodies concerned to action the proposals.
“Karbabad is the home for basket-weaving and getting government services on track will certainly help attract tourists and give the place the appeal it most needs,” said board services and public utilities committee chairwoman Huda Sultan.
“Amongst the proposed plans are expanding narrow alleys into roads, increasing entrances and exits, fixing holes and paving new roads, and getting new concrete seating for the public.”
Basket weaving in Bahrain dates back thousands of years and was once a thriving cottage industry with families in several villages involved in the craft.
However, with the advent of urbanisation and modernisation, the traditional skills, left in the hands of an elderly population, are in danger of becoming extinct.
Compounding the problem are low returns, lack of interest among the younger generation and a need for more official support.
Today, only a handful of veteran craftspeople in Karbabad are doing their bit to keep the profession alive.
Using traditional techniques, they use palm fronds to weave baskets, mats, small dishes, hand fans and chicken coops by hand – the same methods passed on through the generations.
Close by sits Bahrain’s first World Heritage Site – the Bahrain Fort, which was granted its status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2005.
“We have received numerous demands from Karbabad residents for their area to witness a facelift after years of delayed projects, remodelling and maintenance,” said Ms Sultan.
“The Seef District in the opposite direction is completely modernised and developed, while Karbabad remains in need of infrastructure services, despite both falling in the same constituency,” she added.
She mentioned that the historic minaret (Islamic tower) of the Karbabad Mosque is also in need of reconstruction.
“We are co-ordinating with the Jaffari Waqf (Endowment) Directorate on rebuilding the minaret which would give the Karbabad Mosque beauty with the current minaret being old and dilapidated.”
Karbabad is the home for the Capital Mall for Bahraini Handmade Products.
Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said the needs of Karbabad would be followed with all relevant ministries and government bodies.
“We are very keen on giving Karbabad a facelift for residents and also as a means to attract tourists,” he said.
“The more we invest in this historic location, the more interest it would get from locals, visitors and tourists.
“Karbabad has the potential to become an attractive destination, similar to the adjacent modern Seef District and the ancient Bahrain Fort village, which are all in the same constituency. We just need a plan that is applicable and can be implemented.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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