Exploring the enigma of pearls and emphasizing the importance of intergenerational learning and exchanges, the link between national identity, heritage and traditional music, and global trends for sustainable collection of oral collection
The National Library and Archives launches the 3rd Emirates International Oral History Conference attracting a significant official and public audience.

The activities of 3rd Emirates International Oral History Conference kicked off at the headquarters of the National Library and Archives, which was held under the theme “Their memory is our history, Sustainable Trends in Oral History & Knowledge Preservation”. It demonstrated that oral history holds equal significance to written history, as the recollections of its narrators preserve events, circumstances, and stories that might have been overlooked by historians in written records.
His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, opened the conference with a speech emphasizing that the National Library and Archives will continue to serve as a stronghold for preserving and documenting heritage. He assured that the NLA’s efforts will persist in fostering national identity and enhancing cultural memory.
His Excellency emphasized that the significance of oral narration lies in its role in fostering conversations with history, as it serves as a vibrant conduit linking present-day generations with the experiences of their ancestors, enhancing their comprehension of their societies’ traits and origins. He further noted that this is evident in the way we appreciate the audio and video recordings of human treasures captured by photographers and videographers, and the living accounts of veterans who experienced events that left permanent marks on our history. He highlighted that these stories are more than just recollections; they act as a driving force that encourages us to emulate the sacrifices of our ancestors and to honour their legacies, thereby motivating us to safeguard our collective memory and the essence of our genuine society.
His Excellency hoped that experts, researchers and participants would have fruitful times in sharing knowledge and experiences. He also hoped that the conference events would offer an environment where we can find motivation for developing new methods to safeguard human heritage and explore creative approaches to document and archive our unique narratives and current events. He added that this would serve as a guiding light for future generations, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the human story and its trajectory across history.
On behalf of Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Centre, Her Excellency Maryam Hamad Al Shamsi, the centre’s Secretary General, delivered the guest of honour speech. She highlighted that our history has been passed down through generations via oral narratives, emphasizing that oral history plays a crucial role in preserving our culture, heritage, and historical events. She also noted that these stories, tales and myths that are transmitted orally are considered the main framework for the cultural and value stock of the Emirati national identity.
She pointed out that due to progress in technology and the different methods now accessible for recording history scientifically and culturally, the significance of oral history in recording current events has declined. However, it still plays a crucial role in recording historical events. By archiving our oral history in such a protective way, we ensure that our past and memories are preserved for future generations.
Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan’s speech touched on the topics of the conference that delve into the human value in our history, particularly highlighting the significance of pearls as a lens through which we can view periods of both prosperity and hardship in Emirati society. Pearls were not merely a source of income for our ancestors but rather a symbol of resilience and the capacity to overcome life’s challenges.
She highlighted the significance of folklore and how deeply it is intertwined with various elements of our national heritage. She also emphasized the role of cultural heritage as a fundamental component in shaping the contemporary Emirati identity, ensuring that our customs and traditions continue to resonate with the next generations.
Following that, the first session of the 3rd Emirates International Conference on Oral History commenced, entitled: Pearls: Enigmatic, Eclectic and Alluring. It was moderated by Dr. Aisha Belkhair, NLA’s Research Advisor and the Conference General Coordinator. She highlighted the historical and economic significance of pearls, their role in society and human life, and their influence on mainstream culture. The first speaker, Mr. Mustafa Al-Fardan explored pearls as a source of enigma and and the search for knowledge and touched on material landmarks and heritage literature. He shed light on the origins of diving and the epic of Gilgamesh, then moved on to the depiction of diving in pre-Islamic and Umayyad poetry, focusing on the most celebrated tales associated with the diving trade. He ended his talk by quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai: “We thank the challenges we learned from; we thank the circumstances that made us; we thank the past that brought us to where we are.”
Next, Mr. Deepak Bhatia delved into significant elements of his family’s history that was renowned for its involvement in the pearl trade and industry. He bolstered his presentation with numerous old and unique photographs of his grandfather and his partners in this field. Bhatia illuminated the different forms of pearls, such as the moon shape and teardrop-shaped pearls. He also shared insights from the book he authored, which details the history of pearls and the beginnings of the pearl trade.
The session wrapped up with Mr. Mohamed Abdul Razzaq Al Mahmoud from Bahrain, from the Kingdom of Bahrain. He spoke about the historical interest of the GCC countries and Bahrain in pearl diving, as well as the practices of his grandfather and father in the pearl trade, and his own deep-seated interest in the profession. He shared amusing anecdotes about pearls, the search for them, pearl trade and its significance, leaving a lasting impression on the audience about the profession of pearl diving, suggesting it was one that historically brought the GCC countries together. He also shed light on the use of pearls as adornments for men in rings, buttons for clothing, and as embellishments for weapons such as swords and daggers.
The audience’s engagement with the topic of the first session was clear through the numerous questions and inquiries concerning pearls and their significance.
The second session titled “Intergenerational Learning and Exchanges” was chaired by Lauren Kata, Assistant Academic Librarian for Archives and Special Collections at NYU Abu Dhabi. This session featured talks by Mark Upton from the UK, Aya Al Hira from the UAE, and Hagar Faisal Amer from Egypt.
The third session titled ” Traditional Music: National Identity and Heritage” was moderated by Mr. Hamid Abdullah Al-Muzaini, and featured talks by Dr. Faisal Ibrahim Al-Tamimi from Qatar, Azhar Kubba from Iraq, and Rosa Maria Araujo from Brazil.
The fourth session focused on “Sustainability Trends: A View from Three Countries” and was moderated by Ms. Maitha Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Oral History at the National Library and Archives. It included presentations by Dr. Mubarak Ben Belkasem Jaafari from Algeria, Professor Alistair Thompson from Australia, and Adrian Cain Darrow from the United States of America.
Finally, the conference wrapped up with the recommendations and a word of thanks to the participants and attendees.