Bahrain’s handicrafts have been passed down for generations, from boat building and weaving to pottery and embroidery. This October, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is running a programme of hands-on workshops where you can learn these skills from the people who keep them alive.
Some sessions are one-off introductions, others run across three Saturdays, and there’s a separate strand for younger makers. Whether you’re a keen hobbyist or just curious about the traditions behind life in Bahrain, there’s something to try every weekend this month.
How to Register
Details on workshop fees and registration are shared through BACA’s social media channels. For enquiries, email handicrafts.workshops@culture.gov.bh.
Most workshops take place at Al Jasra Crafts Centre, with a few held at the House of Basket Weaving.
One-Day Workshops
Basics of Cream Making
Learn the basics of making creams by hand, blending natural oils, butters and scents into a smooth mixture. It’s a simple, practical skill to reclaim your entire skincare routine.
- Saturday | 10 October
- 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Carpet Art
Carpet making is one of the oldest textile crafts, with threads knotted or woven together to build up patterns and colour. This session introduces the techniques behind creating your own small carpet design.
- Saturday | 17 October
- 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Resin Art
Resin art involves mixing liquid resin with colour, then pouring and shaping it before it sets into a hard, glossy finish. It’s a popular way to make coasters, trays, jewellery and decorative pieces.
- Saturday | 24 October
- 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Bakhoor Making
Bakhoor is made by soaking wood chips in fragrant oils, perfumes and resins, then drying them so they release a rich scent when burned. You’ll learn how to mix and prepare your own blend.
- Saturday | 24 October
- 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Workshop Series
These workshops run over three Saturdays: 10, 17 and 24 October.
Alsabagh Making
Sabagh is the craft of dyeing fabric and thread, traditionally using colours drawn from plants and other natural materials. The process covers preparing the dye, soaking the material and setting the colour.
- 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
- House of Basket Weaving
Arabic Calligraphy
Arabic calligraphy turns the written word into an art form, using a reed pen and ink to shape flowing letters with careful proportion. Beginners start with the basic strokes and build up to full letters and words.
- 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Naqda Embroidery
Naqda is a traditional embroidery technique that uses fine strips of metallic thread, usually silver or gold, to create shimmering patterns on fabric. Each stitch is folded and pressed by hand, which makes it slow, detailed work.
- 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Pottery on the Wheel
Wheel throwing is the process of shaping wet clay on a spinning wheel to form bowls, cups and vases. You’ll learn how to centre the clay, open it up and pull the walls into shape.
- 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Traditional Boat Making
Wooden boat building is a craft rooted in seafaring communities, with each piece of timber cut, shaped and fitted by hand. This series introduces the methods and tools used to build traditional vessels, often in model form.
- 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
The Young Artisan Workshops for Children
Finger Crochet
Finger crochet uses only your hands to loop yarn into chains and simple shapes, with no hooks or needles needed. It’s an easy, hands-on way for children to start working with yarn.
- Saturday | 10 October
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Makers’ Woodshop
This session introduces children to basic woodworking, using simple tools to measure, assemble and decorate small wooden pieces. It’s a chance to build something by hand from start to finish.
- Saturday | 17 October
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Al Jasra Crafts Centre
Cloth Houses
Children use fabric and simple materials to design and build small houses, learning about shape, texture and construction along the way.
- Saturday | 24 October
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- House of Basket Weaving
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