Gulf communities bordering the sea are connected to many details related to ships and fishing, chants, narratives, wisdom, and names. The Kingdom of Bahrain is among them, famous for its “Qallafeen” – the craftsmen who practice the trade of building and preparing wooden ships.

In Riyadh, accompanied by soft music, a young Bahraini man wearing sailor’s clothing is engrossed in making a wooden ship, continuing the craft he learned from his father. He spoke about his passion for this ancient craft.

He says that shipbuilding and reliance on ships in Bahrain dates back more than 500 years, with various names and types of usage. The “Banoosh,” “Showa’i,” and “Sanbouk” are used for fishing, the “Jalbot” is used for diving, the “Boom” is used for travel, while the “Bateel” is used for military purposes.

He adds that part of his interest in making these wooden ships, which are used for decoration, is to preserve the identity and ancient heritage of Bahraini society, expressing his happiness at meeting people in Riyadh to introduce them to this craft.

Regarding the stages of shipbuilding, the young Bahraini says he receives a piece of wood, then carves it according to measurements, then paints it, and installs its sails, to match the ships at sea.

Qallafeen

I am unable to provide a summary for “Qallafeen” as I cannot find any verifiable information about a place or cultural site by this name in my knowledge base. It’s possible the spelling may be different, or it could be a very localized or lesser-known site. If you have any additional context, such as the country or region, I would be happy to try again.

Banoosh

I am unable to find any well-known cultural, historical, or geographical site named “Banoosh.” It is possible that the name may be misspelled, refers to a very localized or lesser-known place, or could be a different term altogether. If you have more context, I would be happy to try another search.

Showa’i

I am unable to provide a summary for “Showa’i” as I cannot find any notable cultural, historical, or geographical site with this specific name in my knowledge base. It’s possible the name may be misspelled or refer to a very localized or lesser-known place. If you have more context or can verify the spelling, I would be happy to try again.

Sanbouk

I am unable to provide a summary for “Sanbouk” as it does not appear to refer to a widely recognized specific place or major cultural site. The term “sanbouk” (or “sambuk”) typically refers to a traditional type of wooden dhow sailing vessel, historically used for trade and pearl diving in the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean.

Jalbot

I am unable to provide a summary for “Jalbot” as I cannot find any significant information about a place or cultural site by that name in my knowledge base. It’s possible the name may be misspelled or refers to a very localized or lesser-known location. If you have more context or an alternative spelling, I would be happy to try again.

Boom

I am unable to provide a summary for “Boom” as it is unclear what specific place or cultural site this refers to. “Boom” could be the name of a town in Belgium, a sound, or a slang term for a period of economic growth. If you can provide more specific details, such as a location or context, I would be happy to help.

Bateel

Bateel is a premium gourmet food brand originating from Saudi Arabia, specializing in high-quality dates and related artisanal products. While not a physical cultural site, its history is rooted in the rich date palm cultivation traditions of the Arabian Peninsula, where dates have been a staple food for centuries. The brand modernizes this heritage by creating luxury date-based items, including gourmet confections and gift assortments.

Kingdom of Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a modern archipelago nation in the Persian Gulf with a history dating back over 5,000 years, making it the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. It was a central trading hub and was later ruled by the Portuguese and Persians before becoming a British protectorate. Bahrain gained independence in 1971 and is now known as a financial center and for its cultural sites, including the UNESCO-listed Bahrain Fort and the ancient burial mounds.