Hearken to the Revived Sea Chants of Ancient UAE Pearl Ships, Now Echoing Through Sharjah Again
In the vast expanse of the Arabian Gulf, the pearling trips were more than just a means of livelihood; they were an intricate part of the region's rich cultural heritage. At the heart of this legacy was the Nahma, a figure or concept that every sailor held in high regard.
The Nahma served as a living diary of the sea, with the sailors and divers recording their experiences through melodies. These sea chants, or Nahma, were not the work of professional musicians but of the sailors and divers themselves. They were hypnotic, mirroring the rhythmic ebb and flow of the sea itself.
During these long journeys, singing became both a form of entertainment and survival. The Naham, the ship's singer, was as important as any sailor. They lifted morale, helped with coordination, and offered comfort. The performance of the Nahma was interactive, requiring call and response from the crew.
The divers risked their lives searching the seabed for oysters while the rest of the crew worked tirelessly to keep the ship afloat. On larger ships, there could be more than one Naham, each with a distinctive voice. The divers and pullers responded to the chant Al Taqseera with the sound "Aaaah" when throwing an iron weight into the water to stabilize the ship.
The Nahma had specific chants for each task on board, such as preparing the ship, hammering nails, raising sails, or lowering anchors. Some Nahma songs were more playful, such as Samar songs told during long evenings to keep the crew awake. The chant Al Taqseera was performed when throwing an iron weight into the water to stabilize the ship.
The modern audience is struck by the interactive nature of the Nahma performance, a testament to the resilience and creativity of the UAE people. The preservation of the Nahma serves as a reminder of this resilience, a cultural legacy as deep as the sea they sailed.
Waad Barakat, a Special Correspondent covering security topics with a focus on human interest stories and unique Gen Z-inspired content, delves into the fascinating world of the Nahma, exploring its importance in the region's history and its continued relevance today.
