Kuwait’s 33rd Pearl Diving Festival Celebrates Ancient Maritime Heritage
The 33rd Pearl Diving Festival began this weekend in Kuwait, with 150 young divers setting off on a multiday expedition. The festival, which started on Saturday, features four traditional wooden ships carrying the divers on a journey to search for pearls, in a tribute to their forebears.
Sponsored by Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the event honors the country’s pearl diving heritage, a trade that was central to Kuwait’s economy before oil was discovered. The festival provides a window into the past, showcasing the skills and traditions that were once vital to the nation’s livelihood.
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Following the customs of their ancestors, the divers began their journey by eating dates before plunging into the sea. They dove more than 10 meters to the ocean floor without any breathing equipment, relying solely on their physical conditioning and ability to hold their breath for extended periods.
Freediving, a sport that demands physical fitness, training, and mental endurance, is at the heart of this festival. The event has drawn many tourists, both local and international, who come to witness the divers’ skills and watch the extraction of natural pearls from oysters.
