Posted inCulture & Society

In pictures: Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2016 in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi

The festival is named in honour of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his soul), in recognition of his pivotal role in preserving our nation’s proud history as a gateway to the future.

An Emirati woman uses a drop spindle to spin wool during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati girls watch as a man prepares coffee during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

An Emirati man plays with his children during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati men perform a traditional Bedouin dance during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan heritage festival, held at the Sweihan racecourse in Al-Ain on February 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Asian workers gather camels at the Sweihan racecourse before a training race on February 9, 2016, during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan heritage festival in Al-Ain. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati men perform a traditional dance in front of flags bearing portraits of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (L), Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C), UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (R) during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan heritage festival, held at the Sweihan racecourse in Al-Ain on February 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Member of the al-Nahyan ruling family, president’s representative and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan heritage festival, held at the Sweihan racecourse in Al-Ain on February 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati men craft traditional straw baskets during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

An Emirati woman makes henna during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati men prepare coffee during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Emirati men prepare coffee during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

An Emirati woman uses a drop spindle to spin wool during the 2016 Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 9, 2016. (Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

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