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What were the three communities that made up Qatari society before oil?
What were the three communities that made up Qatari society before oil?
What was a characteristic of the semi-settled Bedouin?
What was a characteristic of the semi-settled Bedouin?
What was an occupation of some semi-settled Bedouin men?
What was an occupation of some semi-settled Bedouin men?
What did the semi-settled Bedouin not understand?
What did the semi-settled Bedouin not understand?
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What was a result of the pearl trade on Qatari society before oil?
What was a result of the pearl trade on Qatari society before oil?
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What was a main resource in the Gulf economy in the pre-oil age?
What was a main resource in the Gulf economy in the pre-oil age?
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What was a characteristic of the nomadic Bedouin?
What was a characteristic of the nomadic Bedouin?
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What was a difference between the nomadic and semi-settled Bedouin?
What was a difference between the nomadic and semi-settled Bedouin?
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Who was the first female teacher and the first principal of the first modern girls' school in Qatar?
Who was the first female teacher and the first principal of the first modern girls' school in Qatar?
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What was the primary role of the wealthy in the kuttabs?
What was the primary role of the wealthy in the kuttabs?
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When was the first modern girls' school in Qatar established?
When was the first modern girls' school in Qatar established?
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What was the name of the Ottoman school established in 1890?
What was the name of the Ottoman school established in 1890?
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What was the limitation of the kuttabs?
What was the limitation of the kuttabs?
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What was the outcome of the Battle of Wajbah in 1893?
What was the outcome of the Battle of Wajbah in 1893?
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What subjects were taught at the Rushdiye School?
What subjects were taught at the Rushdiye School?
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Where were the girls' kuttabs usually run?
Where were the girls' kuttabs usually run?
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What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of an education system in Qatar?
What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of an education system in Qatar?
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Who led the movement to start an education system in Qatar?
Who led the movement to start an education system in Qatar?
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How many kuttabs were present in Qatar starting from the late nineteenth century?
How many kuttabs were present in Qatar starting from the late nineteenth century?
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What was the primary focus of education in the kuttabs?
What was the primary focus of education in the kuttabs?
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Why were kuttabs not stable?
Why were kuttabs not stable?
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What was the role of mutaawa' in the kuttabs?
What was the role of mutaawa' in the kuttabs?
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Until what age were girls and boys educated together in the kuttabs?
Until what age were girls and boys educated together in the kuttabs?
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What was the social significance of the kuttabs in Qatar?
What was the social significance of the kuttabs in Qatar?
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What was a major impact of the pearl trade on Qatar's economy and society?
What was a major impact of the pearl trade on Qatar's economy and society?
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What was the primary role of slaves in the Gulf society?
What was the primary role of slaves in the Gulf society?
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What was the significance of owning slaves in the Gulf society?
What was the significance of owning slaves in the Gulf society?
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What was the main destination for smuggled slaves during the Hajj season?
What was the main destination for smuggled slaves during the Hajj season?
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What was the impact of the pearl trade on the regional economy?
What was the impact of the pearl trade on the regional economy?
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When did the slave trade finally cease to be widespread?
When did the slave trade finally cease to be widespread?
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What was the original purpose of the villages built on beaches in the Gulf region?
What was the original purpose of the villages built on beaches in the Gulf region?
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What was the role of the British authorities in the Gulf region?
What was the role of the British authorities in the Gulf region?
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What health problems did divers suffer from?
What health problems did divers suffer from?
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Why did divers get skin diseases?
Why did divers get skin diseases?
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What was the social status of pearl divers, deck hands, and sailors?
What was the social status of pearl divers, deck hands, and sailors?
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Why were the divers, deck hands, and sailors dependent on the ship captains?
Why were the divers, deck hands, and sailors dependent on the ship captains?
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What was the 'tisqam'?
What was the 'tisqam'?
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What did the ship captains record in special registers?
What did the ship captains record in special registers?
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Why did the divers, deck hands, and sailors enter a cycle of debt?
Why did the divers, deck hands, and sailors enter a cycle of debt?
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What was one of the reasons for the decline of the pearl trade?
What was one of the reasons for the decline of the pearl trade?
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When did the cultured pearl first appear in the Gulf?
When did the cultured pearl first appear in the Gulf?
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What was the consequence of the decline of the pearl trade?
What was the consequence of the decline of the pearl trade?
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The Mejlis was only used for pearl diving operations.
The Mejlis was only used for pearl diving operations.
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The pearl trade led to a decrease in the coastal population of Qatar.
The pearl trade led to a decrease in the coastal population of Qatar.
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Qatar's location led to cultural exchange solely with the Arabian Peninsula.
Qatar's location led to cultural exchange solely with the Arabian Peninsula.
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Owning slaves was considered a sign of social prestige in the Gulf society.
Owning slaves was considered a sign of social prestige in the Gulf society.
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The Batula and embroidered Sirwal originated from India.
The Batula and embroidered Sirwal originated from India.
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The pearl trade had a significant impact on the regional economy during the late 19th century until the end of World War I.
The pearl trade had a significant impact on the regional economy during the late 19th century until the end of World War I.
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Mecca was not a destination for smuggled slaves during the Hajj season.
Mecca was not a destination for smuggled slaves during the Hajj season.
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Qatari culture was only influenced by Arab traditions.
Qatari culture was only influenced by Arab traditions.
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The British authorities encouraged the slave trade in the Gulf region.
The British authorities encouraged the slave trade in the Gulf region.
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Hindi words did not influence the local dialect in Qatar.
Hindi words did not influence the local dialect in Qatar.
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Ships from Qatar would travel to East Africa via the Arabian peninsula.
Ships from Qatar would travel to East Africa via the Arabian peninsula.
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Pearl diving was the primary economic activity in Qatar all year round.
Pearl diving was the primary economic activity in Qatar all year round.
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There were around 10 men on board each pearling ship.
There were around 10 men on board each pearling ship.
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Pearl diving had no impact on the rest of the economy in Qatar.
Pearl diving had no impact on the rest of the economy in Qatar.
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The port of Aden was not a major center for trade with India.
The port of Aden was not a major center for trade with India.
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Study Notes
Dangers of Diving
- Divers faced immediate health risks including eye and lung illnesses such as cataracts, corneal infections, and various skin diseases.
- Skin sores resulted from exposure to salt water mixed with sunlight due to inadequate purification.
- Shark attacks posed significant threats, and stingrays could become attached to divers, further complicating rescue efforts.
Socioeconomic Background of Divers
- Pearl divers, sailors, and deckhands predominantly came from impoverished backgrounds, heavily indebted to ship captains.
- The repayment of debts forced these workers to continue laboring under strict conditions set by their captains.
- "Tisqam" loans were taken at the end of each pearling season, perpetuating a cycle of debt for divers and sailors.
Decline of the Pearl Trade
- Introduction of cultured pearls in July 1924 heralded the decline of traditional pearl diving and risks to the Gulf economy during the 1930s and 1940s.
Social and Cultural History of Qatar Before Oil
- Before the oil era, three primary groups existed in Qatari society: Bedouin nomads, semi-settled communities, and coastal settlers.
- Education prior to oil was informal, with kuttabs teaching Quran memorization and basic literacy, primarily to boys and some girls up to age ten.
Role of Women in Education
- Ms. Amna Mahmud al-Jayida emerged as a trailblazer for women's education, establishing the first modern girls' school in Qatar in 1956.
Impact of Pearling on Economy and Society
- The pearling industry created employment for coastal inhabitants and stimulated social mobility by attracting Bedouin from the interior.
- Urban development was propelled by the pearl trade, leading to population growth along the coasts.
Slavery in the Pearl Trade
- Despite being monitored by British authorities, the slave trade persisted until the early 1950s, supplying labor for pearl diving, fishing, and domestic work.
- Social prestige was often linked to the ownership of slaves, who participated in various economic activities.
Cultural Influences on Qatar
- Qatar's geographical position exposed it to diverse cultural influences from Persia, Africa, and India, impacting local customs in food, clothing, and architecture.
- Persian architectural styles and textiles were adopted, alongside influences from Indian crafts and vocabulary, particularly in trade.
Pearling as Economic Foundation
- Pearling was the most vital economic activity prior to the oil boom, with seasonal operations lasting approximately four months annually.
- The health of the pearling industry directly influenced local economies; a decline in pearling negatively impacted other sectors such as fishing and agriculture.
Labor Force and Operations
- In 1904, the pearling fleet employed around 13,000 laborers, with approximately 30 men aboard each ship, each member assigned specific duties essential for production.
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Description
Explore Qatar's social and cultural history before the oil era, covering the social fabric, women's roles, education, Mejalis, and the pre-oil economy.
