Nakhuda

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A Nakhuda was the captain of a pearling boat sailing in the Persian Gulf, typically from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (then the Trucial States).

Contents

Arabian Pearling vessels would typically take to sea with the Nakhuda, assistant Mijadimi, a singer Nahham, some eight divers Ghais, and ten haulers Saib. The cook on the vessel was titled Jallas. Larger boats would even include a Muttawa to lead prayers. [1] [2]

The vessels ranged from the relatively small Banoosh to the 100-foot Jalboot, a corruption of the English term jollyboat. [3] [4] The trade was lucrative - at the turn of the 19th century, revenues from the Gulf pearl trade were estimated at some £1,434,000, with an additional £30,439 of this earned from mother-of-pearl. [5]

In the early 20th century, Lorimer recorded 1200 boats involved in the trade across the Trucial States, each carrying an average crew of 18. [5]

Role

The nakhuda was responsible for selecting dive locations and for selling the catch, but the date of sailing to the oyster banks and the duration of the voyage would be set by the admiral of each port's pearling fleet. This official would be appointed by the Ruler. [2] The actual work of pearling was dangerous and exhausting - divers would make up to 60 dives a day. The accumulated catch would be piled up and then in the early morning of the following day, the nakhuda would be responsible for overseeing the opening of the oysters, weighing and registering the catch of small pearls and selecting particularly fine pearls for individual sale. [6]

One nakhuda was assigned as the leader of the port's fleet for the 120-day season from June–September (this, longer season would often be preceded by a shorter, 40-day season known as 'the cold dive' as the Spring Gulf waters would be cool at the time) and would take responsibility for co-ordinating efforts to help any boat in trouble. He would also lead the return voyage.

Trade

Visiting the pearl banks during the season, the pearl dealers, tawwash, would buy the bulk catch from the nakhuda, sorting the pearls using grading pans. Nakhudas would seek individual sales for larger or outstanding pearls, taking them to a pearl trader, or tajir. Typically, nakhudas financed their voyages, although some were financed by merchants and obligated to yield their catch in return for a share in proceeds. [7]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Pearls and Pearl Diving". Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  2. 1 2 Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 184. ISBN   1860631673. OCLC   64689681.
  3. ↑ C., Peck, Malcolm (2010). The A to Z of the Gulf Arab States. Peck, Malcolm C. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 151. ISBN   9780810876361. OCLC   606770070.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Small sketches of brig off the Malabar coast 6 Jan 1853. Annotated - National Maritime Museum". collections.rmg.co.uk. Gooii Ltd. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  5. 1 2 Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. pp. 182–3. ISBN   1860631673. OCLC   64689681.
  6. ↑ Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 185. ISBN   1860631673. OCLC   64689681.
  7. ↑ Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 203. ISBN   1860631673. OCLC   64689681.
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