This fine museum explores the history of Arab traders and their impact on the local and national culture. Spread over four floors, there are good collections of brass and copper coffeepots, ceramic dishes evidencing trade with the Far East, jewelry and practical items such as cooking pots and fishing tackle. Each floor has a diorama of life-sized models depicting traditional scenes from the marketplace to a honeymoon room. The English-speaking staff give a helpful introduction to the museum and can act as guides if desired.
The top floor documents the Arab influence in the region through large posters, taking a chronological sweep starting from the first Arab settlement (in Kattankudy, 3km south of Batti) in pre-Islamic times. The story goes that an Arab crew sailing from the Malabar Coast in the 5th century were shipwrecked nearby and found the verdant coast to good to leave. In the 8th century, they were joined by Arab traders who brought Islam to the region. From these small incursions, Batti grew into one of the most densely-populated areas of Arab and Islamic heritage in the country.
