Dubai's People

This young Dubai National featured in a magazine produced in the 1970s.

Suleiman was the Company Driver for Dubai Port Services in the 1970s. Dubai Port Services were Managers and Operators of Port Rashid. He drove the Company's Management around town. He knew where to go and who to see. He was often called away to drive Sheikh Rashid to important functions. Being a Company Driver involved waiting around with time to catch up with contacts.

Ing. Otto Bulard managed Overseas AST, an Austrian Construction Company that established in Dubai in 1959. Ing Bulard left Overseas AST around 1965 and established as an independent Engineer. He was later involved in building Dubai's Clock Tower and the Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah. He managed Dubai Zoo before being invited by Sheikh Zayed Al Nayhan to establish Al Ain Zoo. Ing. Otto Bulard managed Al Ain Zoo until he retired to Graz in Austria.

There were only two or three Dentists in Dubai in the early 1970s. This photograph was taken by Lord Snowdon. He was commissioned by Inchcape Group of Companies to photograph their business activities around the World. Dentistry was not one of them!

These local street traders were a common sight in Dubai's Soukh in the early 1970s. They slowly disappeared with the increasing import of cheap goods and the arrival of traders of other nationalities.

Tobacco was grown in Hatta and sold in Dubai both in the local Soukhs and for export. This Trader is enjoying his product as he waits for a customer.

This was a common sight in Dubai in the early 1970s. Photo provided by Tony Crowe UK.

This repair shop would have been located alongside the road leading to Dubai's Gold Soukh. In the 1970s the road was lined with blacksmiths fabricating and repairing a whole range of goods. The noise was often deafening but it was fascinating to see these men standing in holes in the ground as they hammered on their anvils placed on the unpaved ground.

This Bedu boy may have never seen an Expatriate before. He was happy to pose for a photo although he probably did not understand what was happening.

In the 1970s Bedu Arabs living outside UAE's Cities did not usually come into contact with Expatriates. Lack of roads and four wheel drive vehicles meant most Expatriates only ventured outside the town occasionally. When Bedu and Expatriates did meet there was a mutual curiosity and respect. As access to the previously remote areas improved more Expatriates ventured out of town so contact with the local Bedu increased. The mutual curiosity and respect faded as Bedu began to resent the intrusion by Expatriates onto their lands and farms. Eventually many Bedu moved to new villages and towns constructed by the Government.

Local men performing traditional dances were frequently seen celebrating weddings and festivals.

This local Bedu boy sits patiently waiting for the Camel Race to start. He holds his traditional cane in his left hand and watches for something to happen.

Camel Races were held in the desert long before camel race tracks were built. The racecourse was usually in a straight line between two points in the desert. No track rails or stadium seating - just sand. Camels were always ridden to the race venue.

Landrovers and Toyota Landcruisers were favoured by the local Bedu. These vehicles played an important role in camel racing. They enabled the camels' Owners and Supporters to follow their camels across the desert. They would shout instructions and encouragement to their camel's jockey - no walkie talkie radios in the 1970s!

These Dubai People maintained Port Rashid Container Equipment during Port Rashid's rapid and remarkable growth into a World Class Container Port.

Taken on Jumeirah Beach Road in the late 1970s. Note the single carriageway road and the amount of sand! This was one of the first Quad Bikes to be imported to Dubai.

Motorcycle racing was the earliest form of motor racing in Dubai. Club members were both local and expatriate. They built their own circuit on land near to Rashid Hospital where they raced regularly until the land was required for development. Eventually the sport spread throughout the Gulf with Teams travelling from Dubai to events around the Gulf.

Polo has been played in Dubai since the early 1970s. A Polo Club was built near to the Dubai Country Club. The playing area was sand but eventually was grassed. Players were from all nationalities.