Umm Al Quwain Museum

Umm Al Quwain, which means ‘mother of two powers’, is an 800sqkm emirate in the UAE, located in the north of the country. With its lush green coastal mangroves lining the shores of the Arabian Gulf, it exhibits far more topographical diversity than any of the other six emirates in the UAE.

The modern history of Umm Al Quwain began some 200 years ago, when the Al Ali tribe moved its capital from Al Sinniyah Island in the mid-18th century due to declining water resources. In 1775, Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, founder of the ruling Al Mualla lineage of the Al Ali tribe, established an independent sheikhdom in Umm Al Quwain.

The emirate holds significant archaeological interest, with major finds at the Tell Abraq and Al Dour sites. Nestled in the heart of the emirate is Umm Al Quwain Museum (also known as Falaj Mualla Museum), which displays a wide range of artefacts excavated from neighbouring archaeological sites. The collection includes Ubaid pottery, arrowheads, swords, fishing tools, statues and dolls, and polished flint tools. The various museum exhibits offer a unique insight into bygone Bedouin traditions. The museum boasts renovation plans in line with its commitment to encouraging more people to learn about the UAE’s rich history.