The Sea Culture in the UAE - Coursework Example

The Sea Culture in the UAE Introduction In the recent decades, UAE has become political, economic and even tourist hotspot, positively transforming the lives of the local people, as well as enticing organizations and people from all corners of the world. “Everyone knows the story of the rapid development of the UAE in the last three decades as remote Arabian Gulf outpost to oil-rich international hub of finance and luxury.” (McCafferty, 2013). Despite such a massive transformation, the local Emiratis have an affinity for their traditional cultural symbols, and one among them is their relation with sea and the related activities. 1. Boating When one focuses on sea culture of UAE, boats including luxury ones play a prominent role. Boat manufacturers in UAE manufacture three types of boats: the smaller and economically cheaper boats, bigger and costly yachts as well as powerboats for sports activities. Due to lessened economic activity in the past few years, manufacturers are primarily coming up with small boats, which are used for sea based transportation as well as leisure purposes. The number of orders for small boats, between 9.4 metres and 10.9 metres, tripled in the last two years. (Algethami, 2014). At the same time, there is high demand for yachts, particularly in the last 12 months, among both local as well as foreign clients. With each yacht costing over $7 million, they are only used for leisure and entertainment activities by the rich. (Algethami, 2014). In addition, power boats used for professional powerboating during domestic and international races are also manufactured in sizable numbers in UAE. 2. Fishing In UAE, where coastal sea waters are mainly tidal shallows, fishing with traps is prominently visible. On those lines, Hadra is the term given to simple but deceptive fence traps, which are set in a perpendicular manner with the shore. These traps shepherd the fish into a “baffled heart-shaped maze where they are stranded as the tide recedes”, allowing the fishermen to harvest it. (“The Traditions”, n. d). The other type of fishing carried out in UAE is by using Gargour (plural garagir) traps. Garagir are igloo-shaped dome traps, which are “weighted to the seabed with rocks or cement and baited with fresh or rotting fish, which entice a variety of fish to enter through a one-way funnel-like opening.” (“Fishing”, n. d). Apart from the above mentioned traditional fishing types, UAE fishermen also use Yaroof, beach seine netting, and Al Liekh, a type of gillnets, for fishing not only in the sea but also in inshore islands. (“Fishing”, n. d). 3. Pearl Diving For the Emiratis, Pearl diving and the related pearling activities offer a main, if not, seasonal kind of employment. “While many of those engaged in the pearling industry would return home to tend date-gardens in inland oases and herd camels between seasons, there were others for whom it was a full-time occupation.” (“Pearls and Pearling”, n. d). Although, pearling was used for livelihood and trade purposes, due to its culturally rich historical background, the whole pearling process was viewed as an integrated social system. So much so, there was a time, when non-Emiratis “were forbidden to engage in pearling without the permission of the rulers and pearls were to be gathered only by the traditional practice of diving, for which the use of modern diving equipment was banned.” (“Pearls and Pearling”, n. d). With pearl diving forming such an intricate part of sea culture, tourists to UAE also have fascination for it, thus prompting the UAE government to use it to boost both the tourism as well as the pearl industry. 4. Navigator and cartographer (Ahmad ibn Majid) - UAE citizen. Ahmad ibn Majid was a navigator as well as a cartographer, who was born to a family of seafarers in the 15th century in Sharjah, one of UAE’s emirates. He wrote books and also prepared maps as well as charts, all of which guided sailors and other navigators during their voyages. Written in around 1490s, Majid’s book is titled, Kitab al-Fawa’id fi Usul ‘Ilm al-Bahr wa ’l-Qawa’id (Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation), and is regarded as key book in navigation history. Apart from describing the history as well as the basic principles of navigation, Majid’s book also provided in-depth and clear details about “lunar mansions, rhumb lines, the difference between coastal and open-sea sailing, the locations of ports from East Africa to Indonesia, star positions, accounts of the monsoon and other seasonal winds, typhoons and other topics for professional navigators.” (“Ahmad Ibn Majid”, 2011). Due to his key role in navigation in those times, Majid is known as the first Arab seaman as well. 5. The effort of UAE government about sea culture With sea and the related activities forming an intricate of Emiratis’ culture, the UAE government has been taking significant efforts to preserve the sea environment as well as the animal species living in it. The government has put into patrol, number of its personnel on the sea coast to maintain a clean environment. One of the recent conservation based steps taken by the government was to declare off-bounds to the people, the beautiful island of Bu Tinah off the coast of Abu Dhabi. (Todorova, 2011). It was done to protect certain sea animals living in and around the island’s waters. The other island in UAE, which is rich in sea life and culture, is Al Yasat. It was already declared as a marine sanctuary in 2005, and as part of further efforts, an artificial reef is to be build in the surrounding waters. “The ambitious project to build first man-made reef around Al Yasat islands marine sanctuary is proof to the UAE leaderships keen interest in sustaining and developing marine plants and animals.” (“Al Yasat Island man-made Reef”, 2007). 6. UAE’s Families bonds and relationships UAE’s families bonds and relationship with sea has been evolving, and is quite distinct from the earlier days to the current times. As pointed out above, in the earlier times, seas and the adjoining coasts in UAE were primarily used for livelihood purposes like pearling more than for relaxation and entertainment purposes. In the pre oil boom days, pearl diving and fishing are considered as main livelihood options, and so the relationship between UAE families and seas bordered on relationship of coexistence. However, in the current times, where Emirati families have quite comfortable and also at times hectic professional options, they view seas as places of relaxation and also entertainment. Local residents often walk and also drive on the beach to find a perfect place to sit on the public beaches to relax. In addition, beaches have waterfront restaurants, cafes, playgrounds for children, etc., where family members can bond and have a relaxing time. 7. Conclusion From the above discussion of seas in UAE, its related activities, historical background, etc., it is clear that UAE has a rich and varied sea culture. Starting from the contribution of Ahmad ibn Majid to the navigation sector, UAE’s seas are rich in tradition. Activities like pearling and fishing are being carried out from earlier times, and have become an key part of UAE people’s lives. As far boating is concerned, UAE has become a key hub for the manufacturing of all types of boats, including yachts, powerboats, etc. People of UAE have a close relationship with the seas because seas and its beaches form a key relaxation plus entertainment spots for them. People in the summer months frequent the sea side (particularly in the evenings) to get away from the heat of the desert, and have relaxing time with family and friends. Thus, seas in UAE intertwine with the people’s lives there, providing livelihood as well as relaxation and entertainment options. References “Ahmad Ibn Majid (15th Century CE – 9th Century AH): The Lion of the Seas.” (2011). Al Rhalah. Retrieved from: http://www.alrahalah.com/2011/05/ahmad-ibn-majid-15th-century-ce- %E2%80%93-9th-century-ah-the-lion-of-the-seas/comment-page-1/ Algethami, S. (2014, Jan 16). UAE boating Industry Keeping Afloat. Retrieved from: http://m.gulfnews.com/business/uae-boating-industry-keeping-afloat-1.1278205 “Al Yasat Island man-made Reef to sustain Marine Life.” (2007). UAE Interact. Retrieved from: http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Al_Yasat_islands_man- made_reef_to_sustain_marine_life_Minister/23454.htm “Fishing.” (n. d). UAE Interact. Retrieved from: http://www.uaeinteract.com/history/trad/trd01.asp McCafferty, H. (2013, March 20). Hunting for Pearls at the Heart of UAE’s Cultural Revival. Retrieved from: http://www.swide.com/art-culture/current-affairs/hunting- for-pearls-at- the-heart-of-uae-cultural-revival/2013/03/20 “Pearls and Pearling.” (n. d). UAE Interact. Retrieved from: http://www.uaeinteract.com/history/trad/trd08.asp Todorova, V. (2011, April 23). Abu Dhabis Sanctuary for Bird and Marine life. Retrieved from: http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/abu-dhabis- sanctuary-for-bird-and-marine-life “The Traditions.” (n. d). Falcona. Retrieved from: http://falcona.wix.com/falcona#!the-traditions-crafts/c23ri Read More