AL DAHROUI

Al Dahroui is a traditional game that was widely played by children in Qatar during the mid-20th century. The game revolves around a bicycle wheel—locally referred to as Al Dahroui—which children would push forward using a long steel rod while racing toward the finish line. This simple yet engaging activity fostered a sense of community, competition, and joy, forming an integral part of childhood memories in Qatari neighborhoods.

This collaborative art installation by Bachir Mohamad and Shouq Al Mana is a tribute to Qatar’s cultural heritage, evoking nostalgia and emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional pastimes. Through the use of steel, wheels, mirrors, acrylic, and paint, the installation reinterprets Al Dahroui in a contemporary artistic form, transforming an everyday childhood memory into a reflective exploration of identity, time, and social change.

By merging elements of movement, reflection, and material contrast, the artwork captures the essence of play and the passage of time, encouraging viewers to engage with Qatar’s rich cultural history while contemplating the transformation of traditions in a rapidly evolving society. This piece serves as both a visual and conceptual bridge between the past and present, celebrating the endurance of heritage in the face of modernization.