Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Element Name
Qawm Al Dassis
Other Names
Al Dassis Family
Practice Environment
Coast
Practice Location
Al Muraijah Neighborhood in Sharjah
Scope of Practice
All segments of society
Heritage Domain/ Category
Folk Literature
Element Type/ Subcategory
Folk Tales (Khararif)
Current Status
Endangered heritage

Qawm Al Dassis

Qawm Al Dassis was a real Emirati family that lived in Sharjah until the middle of the twentieth century and gradually became transformed into a frightening legend in folk memory. The family lived in the Al Mureijah neighbourhood and followed an unusual, highly secluded way of life. They rarely mixed with others and did not open their doors to visitors. Their unusual appearance and extreme caution toward outsiders aroused suspicion among local residents, particularly children and women. People began telling stories about them, including claims that merely looking at them could cause possession or seizures, that they flew at night, and that they could bring fruit from distant countries without travelling. At certain times, such as midday or night, their appearance was believed to be an omen of misfortune, and anyone who saw them was said to risk madness or loss of consciousness. The source also explains that the origins of these stories lay partly in social misunderstanding. The family’s grandmother was a mutawa'ah, a religious woman who treated people through Qur’an recitation and was believed to undo magic, which made the family vulnerable to suspicion. Over time, fact and folklore became intertwined, transforming an isolated family into a popular symbol of strangeness and danger, although the original story was essentially one of social isolation and communal suspicion toward those perceived as different.

Criteria Applicable to Nominate Element

01

Presence in Collective Memory and Intergenerational Cohesion: A cultural element is considered deeply rooted when it is held in the collective memory of the community and forms part of their daily experiences, occasions, and social relationships. It also contributes to strengthening the bonds of interaction between different generations, as it is transmitted from elders to younger members, providing a space for celebration and communal participation, thereby creating a sense of belonging and continuity.

Customer pulse Search
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.