Qatar Traditional Fishing Competition Draws Audiences of All Ages
Rewritten Article:
On Doha's picturesque coastline, a flotilla of traditional dhow boats adorns the pier, exhibiting a dazzling array of fish caught during the Senyar Festival – a celebration of Qatar's rich seafaring traditions.
This maritime fete, held in Katara Cultural Village – a beacon for safeguarding local arts and heritage – marks the 11th edition of its existence. As dhow boats serve as tributes to the age-old practice of line-fishing in energy-rich Qatar, competitors embark on a four-day journey out at sea.
Competitor Mohammed al-Hail, returning to the cheer of friends and family at the festival's conclusion, shared the exhilaration he felt, commenting, "The sensation was remarkable. As soon as we returned, we saw our companions here and there."
By the shoreline, children, clad in traditional white garments, attempted to mirror their heftiness against three massive catches, their gleaming scales bathed in the afternoon sun. These specimens – each tipping the scales at approximately 10kg – represented the largest hauls reeled in during the week-long contest.
A total of 54 teams participated in the Senyar Festival this year, aiming to catch fish using rudimentary fishing lines on dhow boats, vessels that once crisscrossed the waters around Qatar for centuries. Competitors are lauded for the magnitude of their catches, yet the coveted prize encapsulates the quantity, quality, and diversity of the fish hauled in, measured via a points-based system that favors hamour and kingfish over other local varieties.
Before the emergence of the oil and gas industries, Qatar's economy leaned heavily on pearl-diving, an occupation that persisted until artificial pearls flooded the market during the 1920s. However, traditionally-minded individuals like Mohammed al-Hail and his teammate Mohammed al-Mohannadi are ardent about preserving their country's heritage.
"I feel proud, but I am not entirely satisfied, as I aspired for a higher rank," al-Mohannadi admitted. "God willing, in future competitions… we'll achieve a better outcome."
Four days prior, myriad boats dotted the azure Gulf waters, strategically positioned roughly 5km off the Qatari desert sands south of the capital. On board the boat Lusail, Yousuf al-Mutawa explained that their team was setting fishing lines to exploit a lull in the winds. "When the wind subsides, the big fish rise," said Mutawa, who led a 12-member team returning for their second year in the competition.
Mutawa spoke of his father, who was a trader on a small wooden dhow until the 1940s, crisscrossing the waters between Qatar and Kuwait "transporting provisions from there and bringing them here." Eventually, their boat was wrecked in a storm, forcing his father to seek employment in Qatar's burgeoning oil industry.
Ali Almulla, a real estate manager from Dubai, joined the Lusail team for the second consecutive year, making the journey from the UAE to take part. "I came here to partake in the local traditional fishing. I find this a captivating experience, which offers camaraderie," Almulla expressed. "It's enlightening for the younger generations to be aware of our forefathers' legacy."
Almulla revealed that his family had a maritime history. "We derive this passion from our father, grandfathers, and ancestors. My forefather, in fact, used to dive for pearls," he shared.
The competitor participated in various sports fishing competitions around the Gulf, some employing contemporary methods, while others like the Senyar Festival kept their focus on traditional techniques. "Winning is gratifying, but we are here to savor the experience," Almulla concluded.
Sources:
[1] AFP (2021). Qatar honors seafaring heritage at Senyar fishing festival. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210307-qatar-honors-seafaring-heritage-at-senyar-fishing-festival
[2] AP (2021). Qatar hosts line-fishing festival to honor traditions. Retrieved from https://time.com/6024537/senyar-fishing-festival-qatar/
[3] Gulf Times (n.d.). Senyar fishing festival poised to revive traditional fishing skills. Retrieved from https://www.gulf-times.com/story/696991/Senyar-fishing-festival-poised-to-revive-traditional-fishing-skills
[4] Qatar-Tribune (2021). Katara hosts 11th Senyar fishing festival. Retrieved from https://www.qatratribune.com/news/120818/katara-hosts-11th-senyar-fishing-festival
- Mohammed al-Hail, amid the cheers of friends and family, shared his exhilaration from returning to Doha after a four-day journey on a traditional dhow boat during the Senyar Festival, held on Doha's picturesque coastline.
- In their traditional home-and-garden garb, children along the shoreline of Doha attempted to mirror the grandeur of three massive catches, symbolizing the largest hauls reeled in during the Senyar Festival competition.
- Ali Almulla, a real estate manager from Dubai, mentioned the captivating experience of participating in the Senyar Festival on a traditional boat off the coast of Doha, an annual event that celebrates Qatar's seafaring heritage and lifestyle.
