Global Arab Network | Syria: Hims Souks, Extension to Ancient History

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Syria: Hims Souks, Extension to Ancient History

Global Arab Network - - Rabih Serrai

Tuesday, 24 August 2010 12:42

Syria (Hims) - Historically, the markets (souks) constituted a distinguished place not only to express their economic status but their social conditions, ethical values and types of living, since the souk as an economic and civilized phenomenon that includes man, the place and the goods, and a true reflection of the social life and the title of the industrial, agricultural and commercial activities.

Many old and modern Syrian souks are distinguished by their unique architectural style which enable them to play their best role in showing products, facilitating the movement of the people and achieving the enjoyment and meeting the needs.

During the past eras, the Arab souks were distinguished by variety of activities and prevalence of some orders like al-Hisbah .

Hims souks in central Syria have taken specific shapes and specialized in one goods as well as the important position of Hims city which contributed in developing the commercial movement and activating its souks in the economic, architectural and social domains.

Historian Faisal Sheikhani said "Hims souks are divided according to the goods sold in them like Souk al-Hasheish, which is a small area in ancient Hims where all kinds of rural wild plants are sold, and the Vegetables Souk, where all kinds of vegetables and fruits are sold and Souk of Seeds.

Sheikhani added that many souks are known by the name of its owners' families like Souk al-Faisal for selling meats, Souk al-Jendi for selling vegetables and fruits, in addition to some souks known according to some vocations, like Jewelers, Braziers, Tailors, Carpenters, Tinmen and others.

He pointed out that some souks are known by those who work in them like Women Souk, where women sold the old and used goods.

Director of Hims Antiquities Department Fareed Jabbour said that during 2005 and 2006 Hims Department rehabilitated the roofed archeological souks, pointing out that these souks still incarnate the architectural and artistic taste full of plants and geometrical decorations, like al-Nouri , al-Hisbah and al-Bazerbashi Souks.

Al-Bazerbashi Souk is considered one of the longest roofed souks in Hims city.It is 160m long. It branched out into the Silk Souk and then into the Perfumers Souk on the right side and into small souks on the left side for selling textile, silk and sewing requirements.

In Qisaryeih Souk old-fashion sewing and upholstery vocations prevail. The souk was built on the order of former Ottoman ruler Asaad Basha to be an inn to receive the travelers.

Perfumers' Souk is 80 m long. Tradesmen of perfume and textiles work in this souk. It was built by the end of the Ottoman era.
(SANA)

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