To mark Emirati Women’s Day, Zayed National Museum has launched a special one-hour guided tour celebrating the remarkable journey of Emirati women across more than 3,000 years of history. Running from August 1 until the end of September, the experience takes visitors through five galleries, uncovering the traditions, achievements, and lasting impact of women who helped shape the UAE—from ancient civilizations to the present day.
A Walk Through 3,000 Years of Women’s History
The tour guides visitors through five galleries: Our Beginning, To Our Ancestors, Through Our Connections, By Our Coasts, and To Our Roots. Along the way, you’ll discover stories of influential women who played key roles in the country’s development, alongside everyday women whose skills, knowledge, and traditions kept families and communities thriving for generations.
The Women Who Shaped Sheikh Zayed’s Values
The journey begins with the women who influenced the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. A special focus is placed on his mother, Sheikha Salama bint Butti, whose compassion, resilience, and strong values helped shape the leader he would become.
Honouring Women Who Opened Doors
The tour then highlights the role women played in advancing healthcare and education across the UAE. Visitors learn about the contributions of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, whose efforts greatly expanded opportunities for women and girls.
One of the tour’s standout artifacts is a Quran gifted to Sheikha Fatima by the first female graduates of United Arab Emirates University; a meaningful symbol of the progress women have made in education.
What Ancient Burials Reveal About Women’s Lives
The experience also looks much further back in time, using archaeological discoveries to explore the place of women in ancient societies. Through carefully preserved burials, visitors can see evidence suggesting that women held respected positions within their communities, reflected in the care taken with their burials and the objects placed alongside them.
The tour continues into the Iron Age and pre-Islamic period, examining women’s roles in trade, exchange, and positions of authority across the region.
Keeping Traditions Alive Through Generations
The final part of the tour celebrates the knowledge and traditions passed down by Emirati women over centuries. Visitors can learn about sadu, the traditional weaving craft that women preserved and taught from one generation to the next, as well as stories of a female falconer who inherited her skills from her mother and young girls graduating from Quran classes; powerful reminders of how women have safeguarded culture, heritage, and knowledge throughout the UAE’s history.
Whether you’re passionate about history or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, this limited-time tour offers a fascinating look at the women whose stories helped shape the UAE. It’s a chance to see how their resilience, leadership, and traditions continue to leave a lasting legacy today.
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