Tour provides insight into pearl diving
Pearl diving was once one of the most vibrant and important economies
in the Arabian Gulf. For hundreds of
years, pearl diving was the sole source of income for Emiratis. In fact, until 1950, pearl diving was still
practised in the UAE. Recently this traditional job and pastime has become less
popular, perhaps even nonexistent, due to the creation of the cultured pearl in
Asia. Since the cultured pearl is faster
and cheaper to produce, the Gulf pearl market collapsed as it cannot compete
with manufactured cultured pearls coming out of the Asian markets.
Nevertheless, several companies are
working hard to revive the appreciation of pearl diving. Two companies, EMEG and Jumeirah Group,
created a pearl diving eco tour to reconnect Emiratis and tourists with the
rich pearl diving history in the Gulf.
Individuals taking the tour are given the opportunity to go out on
traditional dhows and dive, in traditional diving gear, for their own
pearls. The experience exposes them to
the traditional method of transportation, the dhow, the dive to the bottom of
the Gulf waters, Gulf food and the opportunity to shuck the oysters with the
hopes of finding a pearl. The aim of the
tour is to revive and reconnect locals and tourists with the rich heritage of
this traditional occupation and hobby.
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