DOHA: To contribute to the preservation of national and regional maritime heritage, Katara yesterday launched its latest publication — an Arabic dictionary on pearl diving and maritime life in the Gulf.
The book, considered an invaluable addition to Arabic reference books on culture and heritage, was launched as part the fourth edition of Traditional Dhow Festival which opens today at Katara Corniche.
Katara General Manager, Dr Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Qatari Businessmen Association Chairman, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, and Researcher and Author of the book, Dr Rabia bin Sabah Al Kuwari, were present at the launch in Katara Building 19.
The dictionary is the first of its kind in Qatar and the region and aims to preserve and introduce maritime heritage Qatar and other GCC countries to new generations.
It will be a useful reference with regard to the terms related to pearl diving and sea trade, thus a new addition to Arabic libraries which has shortage in this aspect.
Speaking at a press conference at the launch, Dr Al Sulaiti praised the author’s efforts in documenting and introducing ancestors’ heritage to the young generation thorough the book.
He hoped that the author would continue to contribute to enriching the Qatari and Gulf heritage library.
In writing the book, Dr Al Kuwari said, it was his aim to collect the terms widely used in Gulf countries on pearl diving and sea trade before the discovery of oil.
He said many of these terms have started to disappear as time passes because people are not anymore using them widely.
The 260-page dictionary contains 400 terms referring to types of dhows, their contents, including materials and supplies, and the people working there, sea routes, wind direction, stars, fish and other sea creatures, hunting and pearl diving equipment, types, sizes and shapes of pearls, herbal medicines used in the sea, sizes and weight of ropes, maritime songs, stories and traditional art, geographical terms and clothes used.
It also includes pictures on Qatar’s maritime life, pearl diving, fishing, sailing, dhow construction, and famous Qatari figures in pearl diving and trade.
Sheikh Faisal said the book would be a helpful educational reference for the new generation to revive and use the terms and provide them with an idea on the life during the pre-oil era and difficulties their ancestors faced and sacrifices they made.
He hoped educational institutions and universities would give attention to such publications.
The Peninsula
