House of Folklore

The House of Folklore is a museum in Sanaa housing collections of traditional costumes, handcrafted items, and musical instruments. The displays showcase different regional craft traditions found across Yemen, organized to show how they connect to daily life and celebrations.

The institution opened in 2004 with a mission to record local traditions during a period when rapid changes were affecting Yemen's cultural landscape. It was established to preserve knowledge and crafts that risked disappearing.

The museum displays textiles and metalwork showing how local craftspeople have preserved their traditional techniques over generations. Visitors can see examples of everyday items that were made using methods still practiced in Yemen.

The museum runs workshops and training programs throughout the year teaching visitors how traditional crafts are made. Classes are open to both children and adults interested in learning these skills firsthand.

In a striking effort, the museum published a collection of Yemeni Jewish poetry translated from Hebrew manuscripts in 2021. This rare publication brings to light the literary heritage of a community whose contributions to the country's culture are often overlooked.