Century-old tools come out of storage to tell the story of “Al-Qambar” in Qatif

The craftsman and fishing hobbyist, Hassan Al-Daoud, dusted off traditional fishing tools that were sitting in warehouses and boxes of memories, during the Shrimpto return to the forefront, carrying with it a fragrant marine heritage extending back more than 100 years, known locally as “gambar.”

He said: "Today, these ancient tools and methods stand as a witness to a rich era, confirming that the people still preserve them with great care, not as mere inanimate objects, but as narrators of the history of the East Coast, awaiting the official green light for their return to the waters of the Gulf."

Through these collections, Al-Dawoud documented an amazing journey of development that the fisherman Al-Qutaifi lived through. From the primitive “torch” that was lit to light the darkness of the sea in ancient times, the forefathers moved to using the “torch with the lantern,” then the “light with two candles,” all the way to modern flashlights, in a chronological sequence that tells the story of adaptation and innovation.

He added: "History did not stop at the means of illumination. Rather, the sniping tools themselves tell chapters of the story. After the “sakhob” was the hunter’s main weapon, it was replaced by the “kisa” or “tabaqa,” to stabilize Craftsmanship Finally, the huntress’ tool, which still maintains its splendor and effectiveness to this day"

He pointed out that even the vessels for preserving fishing were not immune to this development, as from the “Ijrab”, “Qafa” and “Marha” handmade from palm wicker, fishermen moved to using the metal vessels “Tanak”, and ending with the “Sahab” tool, so that these tools remain a tangible material document linking the new generation to ancient sea life.

She pointed out that the method “” is distinguished by being a unique environmental heritage, as experts describe it as an “environmentally friendly” method par excellence, as it is completely devoid of bycatch that threatens marine creatures, and relies on precise seasonality and “tidal” times to catch specific types of fish such as “Al-Wahr, Al-Safi, Al-Khufu’, and Al-Hasun.”

He stated that those practicing this profession, the majority of whom are amateurs and the elderly, believe that these tools are not for museum display. Not only that, but it is ready to work to bring joy to souls, and it represents an opportunity to transform this heritage into an attractive tourist product, as some neighboring countries have done, in addition to being a source of livelihood for families with limited income.

He continued, “We currently hope to remove obstacles and facilitate regular procedures to revive this popular heritage, and allow these historical tools to leave the warehouses to exercise their natural role in the sea, redrawing a heritage painting that has long been absent from the shores of the Eastern Region.