Doha, December 17 (QNA) - Throughout the history of Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, traditional shipbuilding has been a cornerstone of economic and social life, inextricably linked to the sea as a source of livelihood, a space for movement, and a platform for cultural exchange.

Wooden dhows were more than just means of transport; they represented a complete way of life, reflected in the heritage and popular memory that remains alive today.

The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival, one of the key annual events reviving this heritage, is supported by various state institutions to preserve this ancient industry. Now in its fourteenth edition, the festival highlights maritime heritage, including traditional shipbuilding as a fundamental pillar of this heritage, and works to preserve and pass this craft on to future generations.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), heritage researcher Abdulaziz Al Buhaishim Al Sayed said that maritime heritage represents a significant part of Qatar's history. He explained that the majority of old Qatari villages were located on the coast, and their relationship with the sea was comprehensive and all-encompassing, whether in pearl diving, fishing, or maritime trade.

He clarified that maritime trade connected Qatar with distant regions, most notably India, noting that the sea was not merely a source of livelihood, but a daily way of life for Qatari society for centuries. He added that pearl diving expeditions could last for up to four consecutive months at sea, meaning that Qataris spent a considerable portion of their lives on board ships.

Al Sayed further stated that the history of pearl diving in the region is documented for over two thousand years, as it is mentioned in the writings of ancient historians, including Greek historians who noted the region's renown for pearl diving and the quality of its pearls.

He emphasized that this deep-rooted history is clearly reflected in tangible and intangible heritage, such as traditional shipbuilding, maritime vocabulary, songs, customs, and lifestyles linked to the sea. He pointed out that the sea served as a means of cultural exchange, as maritime voyages facilitated the interaction of the people of the Gulf with other civilizations. Furthermore, Qatar's location in the heart of the Arabian Gulf made it a destination for divers from across the region.

The heritage researcher Abdulaziz Al Buhaishim noted in his statements to QNA that Qatar was historically distinguished by the density and widespread presence of pearl diving vessels. He indicated that the number of diving vessels in Qatar reached approximately 800 at certain times, with each vessel carrying between 25 and 30 people.

On the other hand, he commended the efforts of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation in organizing the annual Traditional Dhow Festival, considering it a successful event that serves as a living memory, reminding Qatari and Gulf societies of their historical connection to the sea. He added that it also provides an opportunity to learn about maritime vocabulary, songs, customs, and everything related to maritime heritage.

Speaking on the broad participation from various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, he stressed that a maritime festival of this kind is a cultural necessity, since GCC states share a common maritime heritage, and their cultural memory and civilizational legacy are inextricably linked to the sea.

Specialist in traditional wooden dhow modeling and head of design and shipbuilding at the Wooden Vessels Section of the Private Engineering Office, Eng. Ahmed Jassim Al Sayegh affirmed that wooden dhows historically represented a key economic pillar in Qatar and the GCC, with the prosperity of shipbuilding closely linked to the growth of maritime trade in the region.

In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Sayegh explained that historically, dhows imported essential goods such as spices, timber, iron, textiles, and other raw materials vital for daily life and construction, at a time when local resources were limited mainly to dates and pearls. Ownership of a dhow was once common in coastal towns, serving both transportation and trade, and providing a convenient means of travel between cities such as Doha, Al Wakrah, and Al Khor.

Addressing the current state of traditional shipbuilding, Al Sayegh highlighted several challenges, including high construction and maintenance costs, competition from lower-cost fiberglass boats, a shortage of skilled craftsmen, and difficulties in sourcing suitable timber for custom-designed vessels.

He explained that wooden ships require continuous care, as water seepage is inevitable due to multiple joints, necessitating regular maintenance, water pumping, and periodic painting, particularly for teak vessels, to protect them from damage and marine organisms, a commitment some owners now avoid.

Al Sayegh emphasized that government support has played a decisive role in preserving this heritage, citing assistance provided to wooden vessel owners, as well as their inclusion in cultural events, festivals, and maritime races.

He added that the workshop he operates under the Private Engineering Office receives full institutional support, noting that completed heritage vessels are ultimately handed over to museums or the Ministry of Culture as part of national documentation and preservation efforts. He stressed the importance of documenting traditional shipbuilding as a precise engineering discipline and called for dedicated museums featuring accurate models and educational workshops to ensure the transfer of this knowledge to future generations. (QNA)