Posted: September 9th, 2022

Every country is naturally endowed with a number of things

Abstract
Every country is naturally endowed with a number of things to boast of. For the United Arab Emirates for instance, there was the falling of pearls which were then consumed by oysters. These oysters were then hunted down and sold or utilized in many other ways to the benefit of the residents of the United Arab Emirates and others who resided far from the areas. As such, pearling became a huge business and contributed to growth of many aspects of life of the Arabs in the United Arab Emirates. This happened close to eight thousand years ago and as the world kept on changing so did the pearling business. It is therefore in the province of this paper that I seek to explore the history of pearling in the United Arab Emirates, the changes and development that pearling contributed to the UAE and the reasons for the decline of the same.
Introduction
The United Arab Emirates is blessed to have the Arabian Gulf. Warm waters occupied this beautiful gulf and they were a very populated home full of oysters. It is alleged that pearls fell from the Arabian skies in form of rain drops and they made good feeds for the oysters inhabiting the warm gulf. With time there was a greatly developed pearl fishing industry upon which the people depended on to support life. The United Arab Emirates produced the best pearls for a record of about eight thousand years making it a very developed business hub in the region. Traders came from as far as the Roman Empire to India to get this precious product. As such, pearling created wealth not only for the people but also for the entire country. Vessels to help in the fishing of these precious pearls were constructed and everyone given his role to play in the hunt for the treasure. This resulted into a flourishing industry that lasted longer than any other business reported in the region.
History of Pearling in United Arab Emirates
It has been reported that close to seventy percent of Dubai residents in the early centuries participated in the pearling industry. This all started with the construction of vessels that would be used to get into the pearl rich waters in a journey named “Gahus.” Each member of the pearl fishing team had a name ranging from “Nakhuda” the captain, “Mijadimi” his junior, a singer called the “Nahham”, those who knew how to dive called “Ghais”; those who had the strength to pull the catch called the “Saib” and the chef called “Jallas.” The crew also had a trainee who was as young as below the age of twelve to learn the ways of the trade (Donkin, 1998).
Vessels used for pearling could dock at the gulf banks every season to hunt and collect the precious item. The season was as long as five months that is from early April to late September. While setting out for the journey, the fishermen had to have enough food to feed on during the five months. On return from the hunt, the oysters would be professionally broken to get out the pearls.
Pearl Trading in United Arab Emirates
After the harvesting of pearls from the oysters, the pearls would be graded and priced differently. When it came to pricing the pearl that was named “Dana” was the most valued of them because of its shape. Money that was obtained from the trade would be used to trade in other markets hence more economic growth. Other pearls were exported to outside countries such as Turkey and other European markets (Carter, 2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap).
How Pearling Changed The United Arab Emirates (1750-1970)
Prior to the discovery of oil in the United Arab Emirates, ancient Arabians depended on pearling as a source of income. As aforesaid, close to seventy percent of Arabs in the UAE were directly involved in pearling. Pearling was the backbone of the Arabian economy as it was the main source of wealth and means of livelihood (McArthur, 2008 – Affordable Custom Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay from Pro Writers). Many citizens earned an income from the pearling industry thus leading to the economic growth of the United Arab Emirates. As a sole income generating activity, pearling not only brought income to the Emirates country but also contributed to the social-economic development of the region (Carter, 2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap). Because of the interactions during trade, Arabians were able to socialize with other traders a matter that led to opening of more trade routes into the emirates.
Pearling led to the creation of more opportunities for employment for the locals. It has been noted that traders could sit in coffee bars to discuss business. Consequently, as more traders kept on flooding the region, the hospitality industry started growing slowly employing many who offered their labor for an income. There were also cultural exchanges as different people from varying cultures interacted with the Arabs to conduct trade. Further, because of the increased trade in pearls Arabs became experienced in matters of trade hence giving them high degrees of professionalism. They learnt how to look for best products and also categorize the items into different qualities with the highest price tags for the finest. As such, they could get value for their labor hence more profitability.
Because of the trade, there was construction of hotels and other industries to accommodate the traders’ interests. This resulted into the continued development in terms of infrastructure, and other sectors. Also, because of the precious nature of the Emirati pearls, many people in other regions learnt of the origin hence making United Arab Emirates the most connected country in the region and probably the world. To add on that, Arabia was an empty desert in the middle of nowhere but because of the slow trade activities since the early centuries it now stands as one of the most developed countries in the region. The continued development created a very strong base for tourism sector which now contributes close to thirty percent to the region’s GDP (U.A.E Department of Tourism, 2008 – Affordable Custom Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay from Pro Writers).
IOR/R/15/1/735 (1906) Existing Treaties Between The British Government And The Trucial Chiefs
Pearling also contributed to power fights between different players. As Abu Dhabi became a central point of pearling, it attracted the regions ruler under the leadership of the Al Nahyan family. Because of slave trade, piracy and other sea kidnappings, there was insecurity in the region. Different states began fighting over the resources and against each other. Consequently, because Britain did want peaceful co-existence between these states, it negotiated treaties one of them being evidenced by documents such as the file referenced as IOR/R/15/1/735 (1906).
That file contains an address delivered by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon and he narrates the reasons why Britain thought the region should have peace. Other than promoting peaceful trading in the regions, the British government also managed to help bring political stability by bringing together leaders known as the trucial chiefs. The document provides that the role of the chiefs was to ensure that all their citizens adhered to the peace agreement both internally and at the sea during the hunt for pearls and trade.
The above Viceroy continued by saying that Britain was not interested in interfering with matters of the Gulf but just the peaceful existence. Britain through the Viceroy who also served as the Governor of India sought to make an agreement that anyone who contravenes the treaty should face the full punishment.
IOR/R/15/2/346 (1933) ‘File 9/5 Traffic in cultured pearls on Trucial Coast’
It was also recorded that at some point some dishonest traders began mixing fake pearls with the original pearls acquired from the Emirati states. The discovery that Indian merchants were messing with the great trade, some were also arrested and imprisoned thus pushing further the disputes between these two countries. As such, this document brings out the communications with regard to the dishonest trade being initiated by some traders and the measures that were taken to ensure the integrity of pearl trading was restored. Letters addressed to different players in the pearl trade are documented giving more details about the threat that almost killed the century-old trade.
Aspects That Remained Unchanged
Even as trade increased between United Arab Emirates and other outside countries, there are a number of things that could not be changed. Among the unchanged aspects was religion that was introduced in the area. This was Islam that came along when the Prophet Muhammad arrived with his envoys at about 635AD. Pearling trade went on and on in areas such as Julfar which later became one of the wealthiest centres that promoted pearling. Despite the fight between the Portuguese, the Britons and Arabs for the control of the pearl rich ports, Islam was maintained as a religion and that still stands up to now. The people’s culture was not influenced by the trade and continued development in other sectors courtesy of the pearling industry As the United Arab Emirates kept on receiving a diverse number of traders all of its cultural aspects remained intact. Women for instance have continued living in accordance with the Sharia laws that have been dictated by the Holy book the Quran. From the history of the seven states making up the United Arab Emirates it is evident that good leadership that was intact and negotiated contributed greatly to the unchanged culture, religion and socio-economic organization of the Emirati region (Morsy,1978).
In conclusion, it can be said that indeed pearling contributed greatly to the status of the United Arab Emirates region. Pearling not only expanded the trade industry of the region but also led to the development of other sectors. Tourism was firstly promoted by offering services such as food establishments and it has continued to thrive to date employing many from within the region and other labor forces from outside countries. Further, due to the interactions between Arabs and other traders, socialization was increased hence the promotion of peaceful co-existence in a highly diversified country. To add on that, professional conduct of business opened Emirati borders to an international market for its products and hospitality industry that has made the United Arab Emirates to continue expanding in all sectors. Lastly, the constant dealing with money and other modes of trade exchange prompted the establishment of schools and universities that are now ranked among the best in the world. Professionals in almost every sector have been trained and employed in every sector of the region’s economy.

References
Al-Sayegh, F.,(1998). “Merchants Role In A Changing Society: The Case Of Dubai, 1900-90, Middle Eastern Studies 34 (1998) Pp. 87-102
Carter, R. (2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap). “Sea Of Pearls: Seven Thousand Years Of The Industry That Shaped The Gulf; London: Arabian Publishing Ltd., 2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap)
Donkin, R.A. (1998). “Beyond Price: Pearls And Pearl Fishing: Origins Of The Age Of Discoveries.” Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society.
IOR/R/15/2/346 (1933) ‘File 9/5 Traffic in cultured pearls on Trucial Coast’ accessible at http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x000189?utm_source=testpdfdownload&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=PDFdownload
IOR/R/15/1/735 (1906) Existing Treaties Between The British Government and the Trucia Trucial Chiefs. Available at
http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0002c6?utm_source=testpdfdownload&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=PDFdownload
Mcarthur, R. (2008 – Affordable Custom Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay from Pro Writers). A New Lease Of Life For The Oldest Trade In The Gulf. Retrieved From www.emirates247.com/ebz47/companies-markets/retail/a-new-lease-of-life-for-the-oldest-trade-in-the-gulf-2008 – Affordable Custom Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay from Pro Writers-07-22-1.221611 accessed on 29th April 2017
Morsy, A. M. (1978). “The United Arab Emirates: A Modern History (New York: Barnes and Noble.
UAE Department of Tourism (2008 – Affordable Custom Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay from Pro Writers). Retrieved from http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government /tourism.htm. Accessed on 29th April, 2017.
UAE interact www.uaeinteract.com/culture/history.asp. Accessed on 29th April, 2017

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