Manama: The Bahrain Institute of Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) participated in the second Youth Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA). The event, themed "The Journey of Pearls: Sea, People, and Memory," coincided with the International Day for Intangible Cultural Heritage, aiming to raise youth awareness about preserving intangible cultural heritage as a crucial part of Bahrain's national identity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Mohamed Al Slaise, Senior Field Researcher at DANAT, was part of a panel discussion titled "Diving and the Sea Experience" during the forum. The panel included heritage researcher Mohammed Jamal, Dr. Dheya Abdullah Al Kaabi, Dean of the College of Arts at the University of Bahrain, and Faten Mattar, Brand and Communications Director at MATTAR. The session explored the daily lives of Bahrain's divers and their human, cultural, and ritual experiences.
Al Slaise detailed the historical aspects of diving, focusing on the lives and challenges faced by divers during pearl-harvesting voyages, a profession that supported many Bahrainis for centuries. He highlighted the social values and human bonds within the diving community, which continue to be part of Bahrain's cultural memory. He emphasized that diving was not only an economic activity but also a cultural heritage reflecting humanity's connection with the sea.
He also discussed DANAT's efforts in preserving Bahrain's natural pearls as both an economic and cultural symbol, underlining its role in documenting traditional pearl knowledge and increasing awareness among younger generations about the pearls' significance.
The session concluded with active participation from school students who were eager to learn more about diving and pearling.
Noora Jamsheer, CEO of DANAT, expressed pride in participating in the forum, noting the importance of highlighting the pearl journey as a key component of Bahrain's history and cultural identity. She stated that this supports DANAT's mission to position Bahrain as a leading center for pearl research and trade. Jamsheer emphasized DANAT's commitment to reviving and raising awareness of the diving profession's enduring values among the community, particularly youth, who are seen as the natural guardians of this heritage.