Passionate Qataris Engrossed in Traditional Fishing Contest
Set sail on these boats, where fishermen in classic sea attire—a white tee and towel—pay homage to the ancient art of line-fishing, in the wealthy Gulf emirate, during the 11th edition of the Senyar festival.
"The vibe was incredible," competitor Mohammed al-Hail shared with AFP upon his return from a four-day voyage at sea, welcomed by friends and family at the Senyar's conclusion in the Culture Hub of Katara Village, Doha.
"As soon as we finished... here and there, we'd spot our peers," Hail, a naval officer, said with a smile.
Not far away, kids in traditional white thobes attempted to measure themselves against three hefty catches, their gleaming scales catching the afternoon sun, displayed for all to marvel at the onlookers.
These prize catches—each weighing approximately 22 pounds—were the largest hauled during the week-long tournament.
A total of 54 teams came together to catch fish using simple handheld lines, living at sea for days on traditional wooden dhows, vessels that had crisscrossed the Gulf waters surrounding Qatar for centuries.
The participants aren't just rewarded for the largest catch, but also for the quantity, quality, and diversity of fish, using a points-based system that places a high value on hamour and kingfish.
Honoring Tradition
Before the emergence of oil and gas industries, Qatar's economy heavily relied on pearl-diving (along with fishing) until synthetic pearls flooded the market in the 1920s. While these practices are no longer the economy's backbone, Qataris such as Hail and teammate Mohammed al-Mohannadi strive to preserve the nation's heritage.
"I feel proud but not entirely satisfied because I hoped to take first," Mohannadi admitted. "But God willing, next time... we'll do better," he added.
Four days prior, myriad boats dotted the azure Gulf waters, around 3 miles off the desert sands south of Doha. Onboard the "Lusail" boat, Yousuf al-Mutawa explained that they were setting fishing lines to exploit a mid-morning drop in the winds.
"When the wind dies down, the big fish rise," Mutawa, leader of a 12-member team competing in the tournament for the second year, said.
The 55-year-old director of operations for Lusail city elaborated that his father was a mariner on a small wooden dhow until the 1940s.
Walking Through the Ages
Mutawa shared that his father had sailed between Qatar and Kuwait, "carrying some food from there and bringing it here." Eventually, however, a storm wrecked the boat, forcing Mutawa's father to take work in Qatar's burgeoning oil industry.
"If you observed '100 years back how they lived...it was hard for them," Mutawa said, expressing his hope that his sons would compete in future Senyar tournaments.
Ali Almulla, a real estate manager from Dubai, had traveled particularly to join the "Lusail" team for the second year.
"I came here to participate in these local traditional fishing activities. I'd say that's enjoyable for us. It's great camaraderie," the 35-year-old expressed.
"It's good for the younger generations...to be aware of what our ancestors did during that time," he added.
Almulla explained that his family had passed down seafaring traditions. "We acquired it from our father, and our grandfathers and so on. My grandfather, in fact, used to dive for pearls," he said.
The competitor participates in sports fishing competitions around the Gulf, some utilizing modern techniques, while others—like the Senyar festival—stick to more traditional approaches. "Winning is nice, but we're here to enjoy," Almulla emphasized.
"Despite the modern sports and lifestyles, the Senyar festival serves as a testament to the preservation of Qatar's traditional fishing practices. This is evident in the dedication of competitors like Mohammed al-Mohannadi, who strive to uphold the nation's heritage despite the economic shift away from pearl-diving and fishing."
"Dozens of teams, including those from neighboring cities, gather annually for the Senyar festival, reflecting a strong sense of community and camaraderie, as demonstrated by Ali Almulla's cross-border participation."
"In the heart of Doha, the Culture Hub of Katara Village serves as the venue for these cherished traditional practices. Here, the scale of fish caught, often dozens of kilograms in weight, attests to the richness of the Gulf waters and the skill of the fishermen."
"The Senyar festival, with its emphasis on simple line-fishing, stands in stark contrast to the high-tech equipment used in contemporary sports fishing. It's a refreshing reminder of a simpler time, a time when boats like the wooden dhows crisscrossed the Gulf waters, connecting Qatar to its neighbors."
