Built in 2017, Al Dhafra Fort follows the style of Abu Dhabi’s historic defensive architecture and is situated close to the historical fortress, also known as Hosn al Sirra.

Al Dhafra forts and defensive buildings are an essential part of the regional tangible heritage. The historic buildings erected from the 19th century, or earlier for some of them, form a coherent defensive belt defending the water access and the tribes against their enemies. These landmarks share common architectural features and are visible testimonies of the tribal lifestyle at that time that are worth to be preserved.

The Al Dhafra Fort itself is thus a living monument and memorial to the history of Al Dhafra and the defensive architecture of the region.

Visitors to the fort are invited to tour the exhibition space that tells the story of Al Dhafra, the customs and way of life the desert nature of the land gave rise to and the values its people still hold to this very day.

Al Dhafra tribes were organised in a tribal confederation. The most notable tribal confederation of Al Dhafra is the Bani Yas. First mentioned in the 16th century, the alliance encompasses approximately 20 nomadic and settled tribes and controls a large territory from the Liwa Oasis to the coast. The alliance was led by the Al Bu Falah subsection for more than a generation. The Al Bu Falah originated from the Liwa Oasis. The numeral superiority, the military prowess and tactical alliances concluded by the Bani Yas made it one of the most powerful confederations of the UAE.

The confederation was linked by common ground such as the same area of living, the same values, the economic arrangements. Each tribe had its own role within the confederation (ship owner, farmer, protector, and so on). In the traditional tribal organisation, kinship is key.

The unique intangible culture of Al Dhafra has been shaped by the severe local environment that for centuries has forced people to seek ways to survive and prosper even in the most daring conditions.

Such values as hospitality, honour, and loyalty are defining for each inhabitant of Al Dhafra, firmly inscribed in the context of his tribe of origin and large extended family.

The customs passed down through generations are still valid in the contemporary Al Dhafra society, both in small oases settlements and modern airconditioned megapolises. A set of social rituals related to different events and periods in the life of a person are performed even today, preserving the precious connection with the maternal land that was instrumental in the elaboration of this intangible heritage.