The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is hoping to get the Fjiri tradition on to the preservation agency’s intangible cultural heritage list. The vocal music was sung by pearl divers from the 19th century onwards. There was a lead singer accompanied by a chorus of energetic co-singers. The instruments used were a small, double-sided hand drum known as Mirwais and a clay pot played with both hands, known as Jahlah.
Bahrain has already been recognized by UNESCO for three different world heritage sites – Qal’at al Bahrain, the Pearling Path and the Dilmun Burial Mounds. While the world heritage site directory recognizes monuments and objects, the intangible cultural heritage list instead recognizes traditions, performing arts, rituals and crafts passed down the generations.
Officials at BACA are working towards submitting a list of intangible cultural heritage items to UNESCO in March 2020, according to reports. They believe the songs of the sea deserve to be recognized because of their significance to the pearling path.
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