{
  "id": 27636,
  "title": "‘Don’t walk through the farms at night’: Folk tales behind Emirati horror series Kaa’inaat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/dont-walk-through-the-farms-at-night-folk-tales-behind-emirati-horror",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T03:07:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2026/08/02/dont-walk-through-the-farms-at-night-folk-tales-behind-emirati-horror-series-kaainaat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Before joining the cast of Kaa'inaat, Abdullah Bin Haider grew up on stories of eerie spirits in the farms and mountains near his hometown of Khor Fakkan. A seasoned Emirati actor, he recalled his childhood filled with such tales, warning against wandering alone in the countryside at night. These stories, varying from region to region, were deeply rooted in the local environment and were part of the community's collective imagination.\n\nGrowing up, Bin Haider experienced firsthand the impact these legends had on his peers. He remembered his grandmother occasionally leaving food outside their house, an act he later learned was intended to invite otherworldly beings to partake. These childhood memories and the oral traditions they represented would later find their way into the supernatural horror series Kaa'inaat, now streaming in full on StarzPlay with English subtitles.\n\nKaa'inaat returns for its second season, featuring a group of friends stranded in a coastal village due to fog, who soon discover something unsettling about the locals and their water supply. Bin Haider plays Al-Doukhi, a herbalist whose plant knowledge aids the group in dealing with supernatural entities like Athyoun, a spirit that takes over its victims, and Bu Daryah, a fish-scaled creature notorious in Gulf folklore for terrorizing sailors.\n\nFilming for Kaa'inaat took place in the challenging and eerie landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Bin Haider recounted some of the toughest moments were in Fujairah's Al Hayl area, a deep valley surrounded by desolate farms, where the lack of human presence and the constant hum of generators created an unsettling atmosphere. The harsh conditions made for authentic performances, adding to the series' tension.\n\nBehind the scenes, Egyptian screenwriter Marwa Al Deeb drew inspiration from the Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures in Emirati Heritage, a compendium that highlighted the rich tradition of folklore in the region. Her research informed the creation of several supernatural figures in the series, including Khataf Rifai, Rouaan, and Hessa and her children, all of whom are rooted in Emirati legends.\n\nAl Deeb's goal was to weave a cohesive and immersive world out of these disparate tales, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and the nostalgia associated with childhood myths. Kaa'inaat exemplifies the evolution of the Emirati television industry, moving towards more ambitious, high-production works that represent a significant advancement in the genre. Bin Haider's career trajectory reflects this shift, moving from humble beginnings to starring roles in critically acclaimed series like Slave Market and Al Boom, which has returned for a second season.\n\nFor Al Deeb, the success of Kaa'inaat' second season is a testament to the potential of locally inspired stories, emphasizing that as long as compelling narratives are pursued, regardless of genre, the industry can continue to thrive.",
  "summary": "Long before Abdullah Bin Haider encountered supernatural creatures on the set of Kaa’inaat , they inhabited the farms and mountain landscapes surrounding his childhood home in Khor Fakkan. The veteran Emirati actor was raised on folk tales about ghosts and spirits lurking around the coastal community, some malevolent and others regarded as long-standing otherworldly residents. “A common refrain…",
  "key_points": [
    "Abdullah Bin Haider grew up hearing eerie farm and mountain stories in Khor Fakkan.",
    "Childhood tales influenced Kaa'inaat's supernatural elements like Athyoun and Bu Daryah.",
    "Series filmed in challenging landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}