MORSi ROAStS IRAN - Kuwait Times

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
By Nawara Fattahova
The annual pearl diving organized by the
Kuwait Sea Sports Club (KSSC) and held
from Aug 23-30, 2012 concluded yesterday
at the club with the welcoming of the participants’
families. This year the trip was shortened
to one week due to the holy month of
Ramadan and Eid. The divers returned from
their expedition with 500 pearls of varying sizes.
Celebrating its 24th year of preserving Kuwaiti
tradition, nine traditional dhows were used in
this year’s diving trip, carrying about 160 young
men. The annual pearl diving is held under the
patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-
Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Not only were the sailors happy about participating
in this activity, but so were their family
members. “This is the second time for my
brother to participate in the pearl diving trip.
He is 16 years old and he also participated last
year. Although we missed him a lot around the
house, especially since he is my only brother,
I’m happy he participated. I think this traditional
activity teaches him to depend upon himself
and be strong in any situation. He loves the sea,
so he enjoys going along on this trip. We
encouraged him to participate,” Ghaida, a sister
of one of the divers told Kuwait times.
Older people were reminded of their past
during the gathering. “My 17 year old grandson,
Abdulrahman, is participating in the pearl diving
trip for the first time. I think it’s great, as it
shows the new generation how we lived in the
past before the oil era. I heard from my father
about the pearl diving, which was difficult at
that time and lasted for many months. Today,
everything is easy and the young people should
know how their fathers lived. I love the idea of
this activity and I think all young men should try
it,” said Um Khalil.
Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Jamal
Shehab, representing the Amir during the ceremony,
praised the achievements of the participants.
“This year’s collection of pearls
was better than in previous
years. Also, there
are seasoned divers and
captains participating
on this trip to share their
experiences with the
young divers,” he pointed
out. “This activity
awakens different emotions
in me, as a Kuwaiti,
and it reminds me of our
fathers’ work. We call it an
activity today, while it was
a source of living in the
past. Celebrating this day
expresses our respect to the
past and traditions. This
activity teaches self-confidence and strengthens
the young people’s love of their country. It
also teaches them teamwork. The government
should support the KSSC to help it organize this
traditional activity every year,” he added.
Director General of the Public Authority for
Youth and Sports (PAYS) Faisal Al-Jazzaf said
that the participants returned safely and
learned of their Kuwaiti heritage during the diving
trip. “PAYS always supports the activities of
our youth, and pearl diving is one of the most
significant activities. Pearl diving connects the
past with the present. The sea heritage of old
Kuwait represents the main pillar or base on
which the modern economy of Kuwait was
built. And I would like to thank everybody who
supported these young men in their trip,” he
stressed. After the dhows arrived on the beach
at KSSC, the divers were welcomed by their
family members. Some of the participants then
performed a traditional Kuwaiti maritime song
and dance routine.
Local
Young pearl divers return to shore
— Photos by Joseph Shagra