The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) participated in the second edition of the Youth Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was organized by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities under the title “The Journey of Pearls: The Sea, Man and Memory,” coinciding with the World Day for Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the aim of enhancing youth awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage and the sustainability of cultural heritage.
Within the framework of the forum’s activities, Professor Mohammed Al-Sulais, a senior field researcher at the Danat Institute, participated in a dialogue session entitled “Diving and the Sea Experience”, with the participation of Professor Mohammed Jamal, a researcher in the field of heritage, Dr. Diaa Al-Kaabi, Dean of the College of Arts at the University of Bahrain, and Professor Faten Matar, Director of Brand and Communication at Matar Jewellery. The session discussed the daily life of divers in the past in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and its dimensions. Humanity and culture, and the unique rituals and experiences that accompanied their journeys.
Al-Sulais reviewed the historical aspects of the diving profession, and shed light on the details of divers’ lives and the challenges they faced during trips to extract natural pearls, which throughout the ages represented an essential source of livelihood for many Bahrainis. He also touched on the social values and human ties that arose in the divers community, and which are still present in the Bahraini conscience, stressing that the diving profession was not just an economic activity but a profound cultural heritage. It embodies man’s relationship with the sea and reflects his steadfastness and determination.
He pointed to the role that “Danat” plays in preserving the status of natural Bahraini pearls, as an economic and historical symbol and an integral part of the Kingdom’s national identity, indicating that the Institute works to document traditional knowledge associated with pearls and enhance the awareness of new generations of their economic, aesthetic and cultural value.
At its conclusion, the session witnessed the interaction of many school students from various educational levels participating in the forum, who expressed their interest and admiration for the experiences and knowledge presented about the profession of diving and pearl extraction, and they asked questions and inquiries about what the session covered.
On this occasion, the CEO of the Danat Institute, Ms. Noura Jamsheer, said: “We are proud to participate in this forum, which highlights the pearl journey as an integral part of Bahrain’s history and cultural identity, and this is an extension of the Institute’s mission to highlight the cultural and humanitarian role of Bahrain in the field of pearls, and to consolidate its position as a leading regional and global incubator for all knowledge and sciences related to pearls.” its extraction and trade.”
She added: “The diving profession and the values and traditions associated with it express the spirit of perseverance and deep connection to the sea. These are values that we at Danat are keen to revive and enhance in community awareness of them, especially among the youth group, who represent the natural extension of preserving and preserving this heritage, and a basic pillar in preserving the intangible heritage of Bahrain. We will continue our work through these events to link The scientific dimension specializing in the study of pearls, and the cultural dimension that shapes the community’s memory and authentic identity.”
