Pearls are one of the most unparalleled beauties of the world, and they've existed in Qatar for quite a while! One of the oldest professions in the Gulf, pearl diving, is known to have significantly contributed to Qatar's modernization, history, and more.
Apart from knowing how to appreciate pearls, in this article, let the ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team let you in on interesting facts and more about pearl diving!
During the early years of Qatar, pearl diving (along with trading) was one of the ways people made a living. Before the oil and gas industry boomed, Qataris were known to be diving for the gems in the ocean for months. The male members of many families would be out during the pearling season, which occurred during the summer. This is why you would notice that Qatar gives the nod to pearls through its many landmarks (such as the pearl sculpture at Corniche, The Pearl Island & Souq Al Wakrah).
Pearl diving is one of the oldest professions in Qatar, dating as far back as 4,600 BCE. Pearls from the Gulf were often traded to India, Persia and the Ottoman Empire. It wasn't until the early 1920s that many pearl divers opted out of the profession due to the discovery of oil and the introduction of Japanese artificial pearls.
Tip: Be sure to catch the short film on Pearl diving by award-winning director Mira Nair when you visit the National Museum of Qatar.
Pearl diving is said to pose significant threats to divers. The pearl divers endure many obstacles, from the burning sun to the treacherous waters. Many men would stay in one ship cramped together for months. And during their dives, they would hold their breaths with the help of a nose peg for up to two minutes at a depth of up to 18 metres.
Nowadays, pearl divers may be rare to find. In Qatar, Al Jazeera reports that Mohammed Abdulla al-Sada is one of the few Qataris that still dives for pearls.
Historically, pearls gathered by pearl divers in Qatar were sold or traded through the local markets or souqs. To this day, Qatar's souqs - Souq Waqif and Souq Wakrah - offer high-quality pearls, and you can purchase them for your loved ones or yourself! But don't expect 100% authentic pearls; nowadays, these are hard to find and are most likely extremely expensive.
You could check out pearls at Pahlwan Saad Ismail Al Jassim – The old pearl diver Shop. He is recognized as the oldest surviving pearl diver in Qatar. Apart from pearls, you can also find jewellery made from precious and semi-precious stones.
Source: Al Jazeera, Qatar International Tours, Qatar Museums, Associated Press (AP)
Have you seen or touched a Qatari pearl? What can you say about Pearl diving in Qatar? Let us know in the comments below! Do share this article, too - it keeps us going!
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
