Tour Doha’s Historic Marketplace

We're starting out in Doha Suq, or marketplace

where locals and travelers shop. Amal al-Shimari of Embraced Doha, which seeks to educate travelers and expats about Qatar's culture

is taking me around guitar's old souk. The Sogwagiv, actually, it's an Arabic word

and a souk it's a market, and waif means standing, and believe it or not, this is a place

area used to be subject to a lot of frames. I know it's hot right now, but we used to have a lot of frames

that made the whole ground muddy. So people who lived in this village

couldn't set down. That's why when they wanted to trade, they were like standing

most of the time. So it's a standing suit? Yes. It's a standing suit

Located close to the water, 100 years ago, Bedouin and traders came together here, and

locals still do today, vying for everything from jewelry to falcons. It is a very

old sq, at least in concept, but it has been rebuilt because of fires

Yeah, it happens in 2003, actually. It was a huge fire by Sheikh Hamid al-Qaqiahili

He decided to rebuild the souk to maintain the heritage in the Qatari culture Also they grouped the shop So if you want a specific thing from the Suk it will make it easier for you to find your item and also to bargain

Because your competitors are nearby. That makes sense. The Suks' interior is a labyrinth of shops

Smells so good in here. Yes, it's the spice market. And actually, it's my mom favorite place

Spices for cooking, spices for medicinal purposes, lots of different things. Yes, yes

Also, it's linked to our childhood because most of the products that we find here, we can't find

anyone in the supermarket because it's just old sweets that remind you with your childhood

Yeah. Oh, is this a favorite? Yeah. Childhood favorite? There's a lot, actually, but this is one of the... Bubblegum

Yes. Doha's finest. Mm-hmm. It even looks so old. Yes. Oh, that's a little, sure

That's good. As night takes over, the souk becomes more vibrant. So in the soup, basically, can find everything you need

It was the only place where people can, you know, head to find different products

I would bring my friends here to see the old Doha