WATCH: QL Adventures - a visit with veteran pearl diver Pahlwan
Shaun from our Qatar Living team was lucky enough to interview one of Qatar’s few remaining local veteran pearl divers, Saad Ismail Al Jassim, nicknamed ‘Pahlwan’
Pahlwan’s pearl shop is a famous stop at Doha’s Souq Waqif, partly because it is run by a former pearl diver with knowledge of and a connection to Qatar’s history as a nation known for its pearl diving.
Before the discovery of oil and natural gas in the region, the people of this peninsula depended heavily upon collecting and selling pearls for their livelihood.
Pahlwan was kind enough to give us a rundown of how pearl diving was conducted, with the help of a captain, crew, divers, and a special singer who kept the rowers motivated and working in time.
The old diver explained how diving was a dangerous business born of necessity, as for many Qataris it was their primary source of income.
Divers could spend up to three minutes underwater holding their breath in search of oysters. They would go under for up to eight bouts before coming back to the boat for a rest, alternating in turns until the day’s end, when they opened the oysters to scrape out possible pearls, and then head home.
The pearls were given to the captain. Pearl traders bought the precious orbs from the captain, with value determined by several factors, including weight, colour and the absence of imperfections.
The pearl shop in Souq Waqif was given to him by the Father Emir HH Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Pahlwan earned his nickname as a wrestler and body builder. He also spent time as a footballer, and worked 28 years as a police officer in Qatar’s civil defence.
All in all, Pahlwan is a definite Jack of all trades, and it’s worth stopping by his shop next time you’re at Souq Waqif just to experience a piece of the country’s heritage for yourself.
