The Pearling Industry

Before the discovery of oil, pearl diving was Bahrain's economic cornerstone, sustaining not only divers but also merchants, boat owners, and other stakeholders. This study reveals how the pearling industry structured livelihoods, with divers working half the year and the rest under the Salafleh system—where they performed off-season duties in exchange for housing or date-garden access. The research highlights the intricate financial relationships between sea captains (Nakhudas) and shore creditors (Musaqqam), illustrating a tightly coupled economic ecosystem that defined Bahrain's pre-oil economy from 1920 to 1945.

Al-Tajir, M. A. (2023). The Pearling Industry. Bahrain 1920-1945, 104–134. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003402657-5