Caitlin
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I like this story of bringing old-time pearl traditions back to life and making the Pearl Roundup into a local show. The Persian Gulf answer to the rodeo.
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Pearl-diving contest to promote Gulf heritage
Hamad Mohamed al-Tamimi: a unique traditional eventThe general manager of the Qatar Marine Festival Organising Committee (QMFOC), Hamad Mohamed al-Tamimi, has expressed his confidence in the success of the upcoming GCC Traditional Pearl Diving Competition, announcing that the first year’s edition of the competition is offering an unprecedented prize money for an event aimed at promoting Gulf heritage.
The event will take place from June 1-4, and al-Tamimi promised that the closing of the competition will offer a number of surprises.
Al-Tamimi explained that the competition came about as a result of a directive from HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad. As part of Qatar’s efforts to preserve culture and heritage, it was decided to organise the event which would also strengthen ties throughout the region as a result of remembering old traditions which brought the people here together in the past.
The event is also aimed at informing younger generations about the history of the region and the lives of their ancestors.
Divers competing in this event will be respecting the history from which they have emerged, and paying their own tribute to the work of their forefathers – something Qatar is keen to promote.
“The 2010 GCC Traditional Pearl Diving Competition emphasises the interdependence of the Gulf states seeking to preserve their common heritage by remembering and honouring the patience and the courage with which our ancestors faced challenges and difficulties,” explained al-Tamimi, adding “through highlighting the traditional aspects like diving for pearls and other water activities, Qatar is becoming one of the leading states in preserving the Gulf heritage.”
Al-Tamimi also stressed the importance the organisers have placed upon environmental concerns, and explained that they have been coordinating with the Ministry of Environment to ensure that certain rules and regulations are observed to reduce the impact on marine life.
Divers are prohibited from harming the flora and fauna of the coral reefs and are not allowed to kill fish. Similarly sailors have a number of restrictions on how they can work around the area and what tools can be used.
“To make sure the participants are observing the rules we are collaborating with Qatar Divers Association to oversee this event and especially the underwater activities,” explained al-Tamimi.
Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, which will be decided by a panel of expert judges, he explained.
The fishermen collecting the highest number of oysters will receive QR50,000, with QR20,000 going to the team with the most pearls collected. The “largest and finest pearl” will received QR25,000 with QR20,000 going to the participant who spends the longest period of time underwater.
The final category will see an award of QR20,000 to the best dhow.
Applicants must meet a number of conditions to participate in the event. Dhows must house no more than 16 people, with six divers and six men to pull them back onboard as well as four other crew members.
All sailors must be GCC nationals, who must wear traditional clothing, and use dhows that were traditionally used for pearl diving.
The sense of history is further preserved by ensuring that participants only use traditional tools and that diving will be carried out without any modern equipment.
Finally, all the pearls that are caught in the competition will become the property of the QMFOC.
Al-Tamimi emphasised the importance of public interest and participation in the event, explaining that as well as making the Al Dasha, Al Qafal and closing ceremonies open to the public, the organisers have also invited schools, universities and companies to take part in boat trips to the diving location to witness the divers in action.
These boat trips will also be made available to visitors who wish to get a closer look at the diving experience throughout the various ceremonies.
He expressed the hope that the development of this event would bolster local tourism in the future, bringing people to Qatar to experience this historical practice.
“In the future, we aim at making the competition one of the most prominent programmes supporting local tourism, in fact we hope it will be one of the must-attend events in the Gulf region,” he claimed, explaining that tourists attending the event would boost a number of local organisations and cultural sites.
Al-Tamimi explained that the organising committee will provide return air tickets to all participants, and will be providing accommodation and other services to each of the teams taking part.
“The QMFOC has demonstrated its full capacity in staging quality events,” claimed al-Tamimi, adding “through the proper use of its organisational insight and other mechanisms the success of this unique traditional event can be guaranteed.”
