KUWAIT: Large spectators attended the 33rd “Qaffal” and heritage season events for divers. The event was hosted by the Kuwait Sea Club under the sponsorship of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Around 150 young men participated in the event, including Nawakhada (captains) and the divers. The event also featured a display of Kuwait’s seafaring heritage materials, including a display of ships, attire, ship-making tools, musical instruments and pearl diving equipment that are commonly associated with Arab Gulf diving. There was also a display of artwork related to pearl diving made by local artists.

The ceremony began with the return of the diving ships to the Club’s coast, and after the arrival of the ships successively, the Nawakhada and divers disembarked from the ships carrying their tools and their crop of oysters as friends and family members received them on the beach. They moved to the places designated for them — opposite the platform, according to the division of their groups. During the “Al-Qaffal” ceremony, all the participants lined up on the shore. The ceremony began with the lowering of Kuwait’s flag to mark the end of the diving season.

Kuwait’s seafaring heritage materials, attire, shipmaking tools, musical instruments and pearl diving equipments are displayed during the event.

The Club’s president, Major General Fahad Al-Fahad, stated that the purpose of the diving trip is not only to collect oysters and search for pearls. “It emphasizes the importance of preserving heritage and strengthening the connection of the present generation with the heritage of this dear country and its past, as well as drawing lessons and meanings from the sacrifices of parents and grandparents from the first generation,” he said. He thanked His Highness the Amir and praised the efforts of the divers, their families, and the Club’s Maritime Heritage Committee.