Page 110 - Police Magazine

GLIMPSES FROM
POLICE
POLICE
THE PAST

Prepared by Sergeant / Aisha Abdul Aziz Al Hosani

Lantern is the light

of the old days

in the Emirates

There are many talks and memories related to the memorable
past. It is impossible to forget how our ancestors used to
illuminate or lighten their tents and houses previously with
the light of “Lantern” that was dyed in many colors, especially
blue.
Not only that, as the ancestors used to have the lantern on land
and sea, and they took care of it due to its importance to them.
Despite the disappearance of its role today as a means of
lighting, most Emirati homes are keen on using it as a beautiful
decoration that is placed elegantly in various parts of the
house. Some of them illuminate their winter evenings with a
“lantern”; that reminds them with the past, with all its beautiful
aspects. As families gather around it today, exchanging various
spontaneous conversations, illuminated by the “lantern” that
reminds them of the most wonderful memories of the past, or
as it is said, “The time of the good people”
At the time, the “lantern” is lit by means of a wick made of
palm fronds in the visible wick inside the glass of the lantern.
They were controlling the luminous intensity with the disc
installed in the base.
The father was keen on providing another lantern that was
carried by a member of the house to move around, while the
mother” may Allah rest her soul in peace” was wiping the
outside lantern’s glass with a dry cloth to remove the dust
stuck to its surface, before the sunset. She also cleans the
inside glass from the black smoke due to the combustion of oil
or kerosene to keep its lighting strong and radiant.
Our Emirati heritage is full of beautiful customs and traditions,
but unfortunately some of them are gradually disappearing in
the age of globalization, the excessive use of the various means
of technology and the variety of techniques that the generation
is currently engaged in and competing for acquiring them.
It is very positive to focus on what was common in the time of
the good people, so that today’s generation
does not forget the past of their
ancestors and the old life they lived.
The Lantern is the lamp that was
used by the people of the Emirates
in the past for lighting, and it was
used extensively in the 1960s.
Unfortunately, today’s generation
is often ignorant of the Lantern,
its importance and its role in the
previous years and other old tools
that have been used in years that
are full of difficulty and fun at the
same time.

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POLICE
POLICE