A PEARL diving competition with modern equipment will be held this weekend as part of the eighth edition of the Nasser bin Hamad Marine Heritage Season.
The contest, organised by the Bahrain Inherited Traditional Sports Committee (Mawrooth) will be held at the Heyr Shatia marine area north of Muharraq and will feature dozens of amateur and professional divers eager to show off their prowess.
It will be held over two rounds and relies on divers’ skills in descending to the seabed to collect oysters, which are then sorted to extract any pearls that may be found.
“The pearl diving competition is not just a race to the depths of the sea,” said the competition’s organising committee head Ahmed Al Hajri.
Mr Al Hajri
“Through it, we aim to revive the legacy of our ancestors and educate new generations about the significance of pearls, which were once a source of pride and livelihood for the people of Bahrain.
“We also strive to ensure that participants and spectators alike experience the authenticity of this craft and we hope the competition fosters greater awareness of the importance of preserving our marine heritage.”
Other contests that will be held during the course of the season include traditional rowing races, handline fishing contests, breath-holding competition, open water swimming for children, and a newly introduced contest titled Al Naham (traditional sea singer).
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