New Pearl Museum opens in RAK

New Pearl Museum opens in RAK

The precious pearl according to two local legends has two mothers One says she is Bint Al Matar daughter of the rain and Bint Al Qamar

Its impact on the local culture and economy, and where it stands today in the modern world, can be found inside the new RAK Pearls Museum.

RAK was the capital of pearl trading as evident from old documents by European travellers and sailors, when you enter the museum, you are surrounded by a distinct interior design of thousands of shimmering empty oyster shells along the walls,

So it made sense to open a museum here.

Regardless of the pearling industry's fate, the influence of the pearl lived on,

On the first floor is a historical journey, including a detailed showcase of tools and gear worn by pearl divers, such as Al Khabt, or leather finger gloves; Al Fatam, a tortoise-shell flexible nose clip; and a thick, white cotton diving suit against jellyfish.

Many divers suffered from great illness later on in their life. They wore no protection for their eyes and ears, and suffered later on from blindness and deafness. It was really hard work and many suffered and even died on the job. The 40-metre-boat, called a jalbout, includes everything a pearl diver needed; they had a designated singer, and Al Narjeelah, an early form of shisha, to keep themselves entertained.