Manama, Oct. 21 (BNA):  The Bahrain Institute of Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) participated in the second Youth Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) under the theme "The Journey of Pearls:  Sea, People, and Memory", coinciding with the International Day for Intangible Cultural Heritage.  The event aimed to raise youth awareness of the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage as an essential part of Bahrain’s national identity.

During the forum, Mohamed Al Slaise, Senior Field Researcher at DANAT, joined a panel discussion titled "Diving and the Sea Experience".  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 covered the daily lives of Bahrain’s divers, exploring their human, cultural, and ritual experiences.

Al Slaise outlined the historical background of diving, highlighting the divers’ lives and challenges during pearl-harvesting voyages, a profession that provided livelihoods for many Bahrainis for centuries.  He emphasised the social values and human bonds within the diving community, which remain part of Bahrain’s cultural memory.  He clarified that diving was not just economic but a cultural heritage reflecting humanity’s relationship with the sea, resilience, and determination.

He also noted DANAT’s role in preserving Bahrain’s natural pearls as an economic and cultural symbol and part of the Kingdom’s authentic identity.  DANAT documents traditional pearl knowledge and works to increase awareness among younger generations about the pearls’ economic and cultural importance.

The session ended with active participation from attending school students, who showed strong interest and asked questions about diving and pearling.

On this occasion, Noora Jamsheer, CEO of DANAT, said:  "We are proud to participate in this forum highlighting the pearl journey as an integral part of Bahrain’s history and cultural identity.  This supports DANAT’s mission to showcase Bahrain’s civilisational role in pearls and to establish its position as a leading regional and global centre for pearl research and trade."

She added:  "The diving profession, with its enduring values and traditions, expresses determination and a deep bond with the sea.  At DANAT, we are committed to reviving and raising awareness of these values in the community, particularly among youth, who are the natural guardians of this heritage.  We continue to connect the scientific study of pearls with the cultural aspect that forms the collective memory and authentic identity of the Bahraini people."

A.S, A.A