At the beginning of the last century, Muharraq was the capital of Bahrain and the center of major public and governmental projects for better administration, planning and education. The official and general public shared the vision for progress and development. The history of this island as detailed in preserved documents tells us about the leaders and unique individuals who were behind these projects. One of these outstanding personalities was Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, a leader in the fields of education, culture and the social sciences. From his majlis in Muharraq, he corresponded with leading figures all over the world in search of knowledge and enlightenment and weekly debates were held at his majlis on matters of culture, philosophy and the arts.
For the sake of the memory of this great man, the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research was established as a forum for dialogue between people in philosophy, literature, poetry, culture and the arts.
Starting with the opening in 2002, the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research has hosted over 200 speakers, philosophers, poets and thinkers, who have presented their thoughts in the center’s weekly lecture program. As the demand for cultural activities and a need for the preservation of our Bahraini heritage grew, the center expanded. To date, the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research has restored around ten traditional Bahraini houses in Muharraq and Manama, many belonging to leading Bahraini personalities or families. The Ibrahim Al Arrayed House for Poetry is dedicated to the preeminent Bahraini poet, while the Abdullah Al Zayed House for Press Heritage honors the memory of the pioneering Bahraini journalist and publisher of the same name. Bahrain’s musical heritage is preserved in the Mohammed bin Faris House for Sut Music, and the restoration of the Memory of the Place – Bin Matar House retains not only one of the most outstanding examples of traditional Bahraini architecture for future generations, but also the memory of the Bin Matars, a leading Bahraini pearl trading family. Local arts, crafts and artisans are supported through the Kurar House and the Heraf al Deiar School of Handicrafts.
Published on the occasion of the solo exhibition "Dialogues" organized by the The Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research and held at the Bin Matar House, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Date
December 2014
Language
Arabic
English
Photographs
Marius Caraman
Credits
Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research 2014
Outdoor view
MEMORY OF THE PLACE - BIN MATAR HOUSE
Opening Hours:
Sat - Thur
8:00am - 1:00pm
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Salman bin Hussain bin Salman bin Matar proved to be a man of remarkable abilities and broad interests. He joined his father’s pearl business and during the late 19th and early 20th centuries became one of the major pearl merchants in the entire Gulf region. Virtually all foreigners, especially French and Indian, relied on his expert advice in matters relating to the purchase of pearls. With the advent of the wide-spread cultured-pearl market that resulted in the dwindling natural-pearl trade, he was part of the group that formed the Natural Pearl Protection Society in 1936. In addition to his renown as a pearl tycoon, he expanded his business interests to include the trade of woods and dates, and ownership
of many diving vessels, as well as houses, buildings, shops, rooms, coffee houses and springs. One of his assets were his palm groves.
In addition to his business acumen, Salman bin Matar was also a man of great generosity and character. His wisdom and knowledge gained him the respect of many who sought his advice in solving a number of issues related to inheritance, valuation of lands and properties, and in the resolution of disputes between individuals. He willingly offered his support, financially or in kind, to the needy, regardless of class, race or religion, and the doors of his home and majlis were always open. Like his father, he built mosques at home in Bahrain, and abroad, granting many properties for their support.
HISTORY OF THE HOUSE
The Bin Matar House was built on reclaimed land in 1905 and at the time was surrounded by the sea on three sides. Supervised by the Bahraini master builder Mussa bin Hamad, the building was constructed in a traditionally Bahraini manner, using palm tree trunks, sea-stone and gypsum. The building was initially used as the permanent majlis of Salman Hussein Bin Matar, one of Bahrain’s the most prominent pearling merchants. Even as the building was eventually used as a clinic for the famous Dr. Banderkar and home of the Al Eslah Club, the top floor was retained as a residence by the Bin Matar family until 2002. Prior to its presentday restoration, the building lay empty and in disuse, ready to be demolished to make way for new construction.
Indoor view
1/12
2/12
3/12
4/12
5/12
6/12
7/12
8/12
9/12
10/12
11/12
12/12