Immortal Traditions of Fishing, Pearl Diving and Sea in Sharjah

Every time he sails, the sea is in front of him like an open book, knowing its secrets and mysteries due to his eternal relationship with this vast blue. On every fishing trip, Abu Shabas, as the fishermen call him, does not sail alone, but is accompanied by years of experiences and hundreds of stories he wrote with the sea.

On a recent journey, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau accompanied the veteran leader of Sharjah fishermen to live and rekindle the memories of the ancient trade, its stories and wisdom... and what a typical fishing trip in the emirate embodies - a powerful and eternal connection between man and the sea.

Abu Shabas said: “The fishing trip is the bridge that connects the fragrance of the past with the glow of the present. The spirit of cooperation and perseverance that characterises this journey reflects the foundational values that our generations have been raised on and keeps our vibrant heritage alive in the hearts of everyone who participates in this marine adventure.”

He added, "The sea is not just a body of water, but a partner in life and a source of livelihood before and after the emergence of oil, and the future of entire generations. This relationship has developed to become an integral part of the national identity, telling a story of deep passion and a close connection between man and the sea."

Daily Adventure
Amidst those golden sands, the sea extends like an endless blue world, appearing as a magical window overlooking the secrets of distant times and places, so that the land meets the water and the relationship of man in Sharjah with the sea and fishing grows as an immortal story fragrant with the essence of the beautiful past, with its chapters repeated across generations.

When Abu Shabas begins his journey in the open sea, the waves and the ropes of his nets appear in harmony to complete a fishing trip for him that is not just a process of catching fish but rather a daily adventure, revealing the secrets and treasures of the sea. It is a moment of communion with nature and with his fellow fishermen who exchange stories and experiences on board the boat.
The fishermen skillfully guide their boats to areas rich in fish, using their finely woven nets. In every movement, there are meanings that are studied, and between the folds of their nets, there are innumerable stories that are told and experiences that are acquired from time immemorial.

Among the meanings of the fishing trip that carries a great symbol that connects people in Sharjah to the roots of their ancient land, and the simplicity of marine life, this authentic profession is a source of livelihood, gain and national wealth for the country.

Eternal journey
Life has a different pulse in the arteries of the quiet Sharjah coast when fishermen meet at dawn to venture out to sea. The place soon hums with intense activity. The ceremonies of the ancient trade begin with characteristic enthusiasm and optimism, as the scent of the sea mixes with the early morning, creating an atmosphere full of vitality and hope.

Abu Shabas says, "Fishermen set sail at sunrise, and their boats take them to areas rich in fish, carrying with them the traditions of their ancestors and the values of cooperation that have always distinguished their society."

The moments that the veteran mentor and guide of fishermen spends with his comrades are not devoid of the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity. As stories of the sea are told and retold, memories of old adventures are renewed. The fishermen's chants reverberate in the open sea, making the journey seem like an old ritual that is repeated with every new day.

Secrets and Treasures
Abu Shabas, who has been fishing since he was a child, says he understood the secrets of the sea before he turned 10 and became a captain and acquired a handsome ship before he turned 15.
By preparing his small boat and nets with the precision he has been accustomed to since his childhood when he began his first trips at the age of ten. 

Abu Shabas still begins his journey with great respect and affection towards the sea for its eternal lessons in patience, perseverance and achieving goals, which planted early in his heart an unquenchable passion. 

"The sea has always been the source of life for the people of Sharjah and the UAE, who chose to embark on an extraordinary adventure in the depths of the ocean waters in search of rare treasures, in those days," points out the octogenarian. 

"The sea has not been a blue carpet for us but a mysterious world that preserved its deep secrets, and pearls, those unique jewels hidden in the depths of oysters, became a dream that beats in the hearts of divers."

Pearl diving as an art
Pearl diving is an art in itself, requiring rare skill, ingenuity and courage. As the veteran sailors recount, the divers wear their traditional clothes and use heavy weights to delve deep into the seabed, looking forward to the melodies of the sea that tell their stories through the waves. They would dive and return to the surface carrying stories of lost dreams and discovered treasures.

Abu Shabas talks about the daily rituals of pearl diving when the families gathered on the coast to bid the divers farewell before they ventured out to Al-Hiraat, the sites historically known for their precious pearls. When the ‘sardal’, the leader of the expedition, announced the start of the journey, the ‘nahham’ sang traditional fishermen songs passed down over generations in his melodious voice. The pearl-diving missions would extend up to more than 4 months.

The Sea as a Storyteller
After the fishing trip is over, the port turns into a festival of activity and movement, where the fish that the nets and traps have brought to the coast are displayed, of various types such as grouper, kingfish, grouper, sultan Ibrahim, and others, for everyone to share with love.

The haul is distributed to everyone present, even those who did not participate in the fishing, as everyone gets their share, and delicious seafood dishes are prepared, which are considered an integral part of the Emirati table. 

Abu Shabas said: "In the world of the sea, since the time of our ancestors, no one has slept hungry among us."

For Abu Shabas, the sea is not only a source of livelihood, but a place for contemplation and self-discovery. He returns from each trip carrying with him an abundant catch and new ideas, as he sees the sea as a teacher and a storyteller who tells him life lessons, and each time renews his relationship with nature and existence.

Over the years, the journeys of Abu Shabas, now a friend, mentor and guide to upcoming generations of fishermen, have become part of Sharjah’s maritime heritage. He is a brilliant example and model for the younger generations who follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, filled with hope and passion, and draw from the sea stories that enhance their legacy and identity.

Finally, when Abu Shabas returns to the port and his family after a long, and always eventful and exciting, day, he is bidden farewell with the promise of a new dawn, a bigger haul, and a new adventure in his long affair with the sea.