“Jamal, the Guardian of the Walls” – A Journey Through Kuwait’s Past
The American Cultural Center hosted a performance of the puppet play “Jamoul Hami Al-Sour” (Jamoul, the Guardian of the Wall), aimed at children and families, as part of the activities of the “Summer Cultural 18” festival, organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. The play, presented by Al-Taqah Al-Ibda’iya (Creative Energy) company, revives aspects of life in Kuwait during the pre-oil era, when it was a coastal commercial city and a major hub for maritime and overland trade, with camel caravans serving as a vital artery for trade and the transport of goods.
Huda Al-Shawa, the author of the work, said in a press statement: “Using puppets to narrate the social history of children transforms historical events, facts, and information about lifestyles in past Kuwait into a vivid and enjoyable visual experience. This is especially effective because children tend to relate to and empathize with puppet characters, which helps them grasp the human values conveyed through the dialogues and events.”
She explained that the work aims to combine entertainment and learning in an interactive manner, making children feel closer to history and better able to understand its details. Al-Shawa added that, as a writer of children’s literature, she is keen to foster historical and cultural awareness among the current generation by drawing on the local environment in storytelling. This allows children to see landmarks from their city’s past in the theatrical performance, such as neighborhoods (fereej), mud-brick houses, the market, and the city wall, alongside animals from the surrounding environment and characters belonging to their community and heritage. This approach strengthens their connection to their roots and past, helping them understand the transformations that led to contemporary life.
The performance also highlights the role of Kuwait’s wall and its gates in protecting the city and its inhabitants. The gates were closed at night and opened in the morning, a scene that evokes aspects of daily life in old Kuwait.
