Bahrain: Island Of Pearls, A Historical Gem

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a group of islands in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia. It is known as the 'Island of Pearls' because it was famed for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world until the 19th century. The oyster beds in the north of Bahrain were the centre of a natural pearl fishery that dominated the Arabian Gulf for centuries. Pearl exports contributed three-quarters of Bahrain's total exports in 1877, with most destined for Bombay, Persia and Turkey.

Bahrain's pearl fisheries were considered the best in the world until the 19th century

Bahrain's pearls were the most famous and valuable in the world and had been traded for over two thousand years. The earliest European writings on the East refer to these fisheries in the Persian Gulf and Bahrain. An account was given by the Greek writer Megasthenes, who accompanied Seleucus Nicator, the Macedonian general, in his Asiatic conquest, about 307 BC. Shortly afterward, they were noted by the Greek historian, Isidorus of Charace, in his account of the Parthian Empire.

The oyster beds on the north of Bahrain were the centre of a natural pearl fishery that dominated the Arabian Gulf from at least the 3rd century BC until the early 20th century. Exploding demand for pearls beginning in the 19th century produced a single-product economy in Bahrain, centred in its then-capital and the capital of pearling in the Arabian Gulf, Muharraq.

Pearl exports contributed three-quarters of Bahrain's total exports in 1877, with most destined for Bombay, Persia, and Turkey. By 1904-1905, an estimated 97.3% of the Gulf's turnover in pearls was traded through Bahrain. The value of Bahrain's pearl exports increased sixfold between 1900 and 1912, when Indian merchants were joined by others from Paris, London, and New York, all vying to secure the finest pearls at the source.

Bahrain's annual pearling journeys were a community-wide endeavour. From pearling merchants, divers, and dhow captains to boat builders, timber merchants, and general goods suppliers, nearly every profession found in Muharraq city existed to serve the pearling economy.

The pearling economy reached its apex in 1911-1912, after which a series of catastrophes, including wars, price crashes, the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls, the Wall Street crash, and its impact on the market for luxury goods, led to its decline.

The pearling economy was at its peak in 1911-1912

The city of Muharraq, Bahrain's capital from 1810 to 1923, was the centre of the pearling industry during this period. It was the most active and prosperous pearling city in the Arabian Gulf, with the largest number of pearl divers and the largest fleet of pearling vessels. Virtually everyone in Muharraq was involved in pearling activities or its supply industries.

The pearling economy in Bahrain was a single-product economy, with pearl exports contributing three-quarters of the country's total exports in 1877. Most of these pearls were destined for Bombay, Persia, and Turkey, but by the turn of the century, Europe emerged as a major direct market. The value of Bahrain's pearl exports increased sixfold between 1900 and 1912, attracting merchants from Paris, London, and New York, all vying to secure the finest pearls.

The pearling industry in Bahrain was a community-wide endeavour, with various professions serving the pearling economy. From pearling merchants, divers, and dhow captains to boat builders, timber merchants, and general goods suppliers, nearly every profession in Muharraq existed to support pearling.

However, the pearling economy's peak in 1911-1912 was short-lived, as a series of events, including wars, price crashes, the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls, and the Wall Street crash, led to its decline in the 1930s and eventual collapse by 1950.

The pearling economy was a single-product economy, with pearl exports contributing three-quarters of Bahrain's total exports in 1877

The pearling industry in Bahrain was the main economic activity in the country for millennia. The oyster beds in the north of Bahrain were the centre of a natural pearl fishery that dominated the Arabian Gulf from at least the 3rd century BC until the early 20th century.

In the 19th century, the demand for pearls exploded, creating a single-product economy in Bahrain, centred in its then-capital, Muharraq, which was also the capital of pearling in the Arabian Gulf. In 1877, pearl exports contributed three-quarters of Bahrain's total exports, with most of the pearls being sent to Bombay, Persia, and Turkey.

The pearling economy reached its peak in 1911-1912, after which a series of unfortunate events led to its decline in the 1930s and its ultimate collapse by 1950. These events included wars, price crashes, the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls from Japan, the Wall Street crash, and riots by divers who were aggrieved at the loss of income.

Even though the pearl industry became exhausted due to irreversible economic changes in the 20th century, many of its features and practices survive. It remains the primary factor in Bahraini cultural identity and a tourist attraction. The surviving traces of Bahrain's pearling heritage are rare testaments to the Gulf's trans-regional, socio-economic connections before the discovery of oil.

The pearling economy was dependent on an intricate system of trade and support industries

The pearling industry in Bahrain was dependent on a complex system of trade and support industries. The country's pearl fisheries were considered the best in the world until the 19th century.

Bahrain's pearling economy was part of a wider trading network. During the classical era, Bahrain was referred to as Tylos by the ancient Greeks and was known as the centre of pearl trading. In the 19th century, before the development of the petroleum industry, the island was largely devoted to pearl fisheries. By 1903, there were about 400 vessels hunting pearls, with an annual export value of more than £30,000.

The pearling economy was supported by a range of industries, including:

• Transportation: The pearling industry required a well-developed transportation system to transport goods and people to and from the pearling sites. This included the use of boats, ships, and other watercraft.
• Manufacturing: The pearling industry also required a range of manufacturing activities, such as the production of tools, equipment, and other supplies needed for pearl hunting. This included the development of specialised vessels and diving equipment.
• Finance: The pearling industry was supported by financial institutions that provided capital and managed the economic aspects of the industry, including the sale and trade of pearls.
• Labour: The pearling industry relied on a skilled and unskilled labour force, including divers, boat operators, and support staff. The industry provided employment opportunities and contributed to the growth of urban centres.
• Marketing and Sales: The success of the pearling industry depended on effective marketing and sales strategies. This included establishing trade connections with other regions and countries, as well as promoting and selling pearls to customers.

The pearling industry is a major factor in Bahraini cultural identity

Pearls were classified according to size, shape, colour and lustre, and those from Bahrain were internationally renowned for their brilliance, purity and beauty. It is thought that the proximity of oyster beds to underwater sweet water springs contributed to the exceptional quality of Bahraini pearls.

The pearling industry shaped the economy and culture of Bahrain's island society for millennia. It was a community-wide endeavour that involved merchants, divers, dhow captains, boat builders, timber merchants, and general goods suppliers. The annual pearling journeys brought together a diverse range of people from across the Gulf, fostering social connections and economic interdependence.

The pearling season also had a significant impact on the daily lives of those who remained on the islands. In Muharraq, the pearling capital, the social status of women was closely linked to the annual mass exodus of males. While wealthier women continued to be attended to by servants, others had to manage their finances carefully to ensure their resources lasted the season. Some even took up occupations such as bread baking and fishing to support themselves.

The pearling industry's influence extended beyond the economic realm, shaping architectural styles, social customs, and artistic traditions. The stone construction of Muharraq, in contrast to the temporary settlements of other pearling centres, is a testament to the wealth generated by the industry. Additionally, the pearling era gave rise to unique social gathering places such as coffee houses, assemblies for men and women, and music houses where songs and oral traditions celebrating the pearling way of life were shared and preserved.

The enduring legacy of the pearling industry is evident in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 'Pearling Trail' on the island of Muharraq. This 3.5 km trail encompasses residences, shops, storehouses, oyster beds, and other sites that bear witness to the cultural tradition of pearling and its pivotal role in Bahrain's history.

Even today, traces of Bahrain's pearling heritage can be found in the surviving music houses where members gather to sing the songs of the pearling season and in the architectural details of Muharraq's urban fabric. The pearling industry's impact on Bahraini cultural identity is undeniable, shaping the country's social fabric, economic landscape, and artistic expressions for centuries.

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