Meet Abu Shabas, the leader of Sharjah’s fishermen
He became a captain before he was 15; now in his 80s, he continues to go fishing everyday
Sharjah: With every new dawn, Sultan Khalifa Abu Shabas, affectionately known as the leader of fishermen in Sharjah, prepares his small boat towards the sea to write a new chapter of his story that began more than 70 years ago.
On a recent journey, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau accompanied the Emirati, who is now in his 80s, to rekindle the memories of the ancient trade and discover what a typical fishing trip in the emirate embodies.
Abu Shabas said: “The fishing trip is the bridge that connects the fragrance of the past with the glow of the present. The spirit of cooperation and perseverance that characterises this journey reflects the foundational values that our generations have been raised on and keeps our vibrant heritage alive in the hearts of everyone who participates in this marine adventure.”
He added: “The sea is not just a body of water, but a partner in life and a source of livelihood before and after the emergence of oil, and the future of entire generations. This relationship has developed to become an integral part of the national identity, telling a story of deep passion and a close connection between man and the sea.”
Daily adventure
Life has a different pulse in the arteries of the quiet Sharjah coast when fishermen meet at dawn to venture out to sea. The place soon hums with intense activity. The ceremonies of the ancient trade begin with characteristic enthusiasm and optimism, as the scent of the sea mixes with the early morning, creating an atmosphere full of vitality and hope.
Abu Shabas said: “Fishermen set sail at sunrise, and their boats take them to areas rich in fish, carrying with them the traditions of their ancestors and the values of cooperation that have always distinguished their society.”
The fishermen’s chants reverberate in the open sea, making the journey seem like an old ritual that is repeated with every new day.
Secrets and treasures
Abu Shabas, who has been fishing since he was a child, says he understood the secrets of the sea before he turned 10 and became a captain and acquired a handsome ship before he turned 15.
“The sea has always been the source of life for the people of Sharjah and the UAE, who chose to embark on an extraordinary adventure in the depths of the ocean waters in search of rare treasures, in those days,” points out the octogenarian.
“The sea has not been a blue carpet for us but a mysterious world that preserved its deep secrets, and pearls, those unique jewels hidden in the depths of oysters, became a dream that beats in the hearts of divers.”
Pearl diving
Pearl diving is an art in itself, requiring rare skill, ingenuity and courage. As the veteran sailors recount, the divers wear their traditional clothes and use heavy weights to delve deep into the seabed, looking forward to the melodies of the sea that tell their stories through the waves. They would dive and return to the surface carrying stories of lost dreams and discovered treasures.
Abu Shabas talks about the daily rituals of pearl diving when the families gathered on the coast to bid the divers farewell before they ventured out to Al Hiraat, the sites historically known for their precious pearls. When the ‘sardal’, the leader of the expedition, announced the start of the journey, the ‘nahham’ sang traditional fishermen songs passed down over generations in his melodious voice. The pearl-diving missions would extend up to more than four months.
The sea as a storyteller
After the fishing trip is over, the port turns into a festival of activity and movement, where the fish that the nets and traps have brought to the coast are displayed, of various types such as grouper, kingfish, grouper, sultan Ibrahim, and others, for everyone to share with love.
The haul is distributed to everyone present, even those who did not participate in the fishing, as everyone gets their share, and seafood dishes are prepared, which are considered an integral part of the Emirati table.
Abu Shabas said: “In the world of the sea, since the time of our ancestors, no one has slept hungry among us.”
For Abu Shabas, the sea is not only a source of livelihood, but a place for contemplation and self-discovery. He returns from each trip carrying with him an abundant catch and new ideas, as he sees the sea as a teacher and a storyteller who tells him life lessons, and each time renews his relationship with nature and existence.
Over the years, the journeys of Abu Shabas, now a friend, mentor and guide to upcoming generations of fishermen, have become part of Sharjah’s maritime heritage. He is a model for the younger generations who follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and draw from the sea stories that enhance their legacy and identity.