Page 230 - UAE Truncal States

Social Aspects of Traditional Economy

Alternative sources of income after the
Second World War
The preceding paragraph illustrated that for more families than
might have been initially expected the old order of life continued well
into the 1950s, with dales, pearls, camels and fish being still modest
but eagerly exploited resources. These desert-based people did not
rely to the same extent as did people in town on obtaining certain
imported foods such as rice and sugar, but they produced almost
enough of their own accustomed staple diet of dates and camel milk.
They therefore did not feel the full impact of the devastating increase
in food prices which hit the Trucial Coast ports during the Second
World War and which did not significantly decrease afterwards.11
The tribal people of Abu Dhabi, did however, become painfully
aware of the high prices and the shortages when they came to buy the
provisions for the pearling season.
Although few of the families with a base outside the town of Abu
Dhabi were threatened by starvation during and after the war,
additional sources of income in the form of paid jobs were very much
sought after. The position of retainer with the Ruler or one of his
brothers was therefore welcome even if it did not bring in a high or
regular salary. It meant that at least a rifle, food and clothing were
provided; besides, a shaikh’s retainers are always fed when and
wherever he himself eats. The employment of retainers was based on
the mutual trust and good rapport between certain tribes or tribal
groups and the shaikh, the former seeing it as an honour to protect
and even to serve the Ruler or a member of his family, and the latter
regarding retainers as representatives of that tribe, giving occasional
presents, favours, and opportunities to earn some money on special
missions and deals. The A1 Bu Falah maintained a body of over 100
such armed but untrained retainers. They were used as guards at the
various forts and check-points, as escorts for members of the A1 Bu
Falah when on the move and for the Ruler’s representatives, wall's
and qacli on duty visits to the Llwa and other places in the desert.
They were also guides through their own dar. During the winter
many of them acted as falconers and accompanied the shaikhs on
hunting trips where they would even prepare the meals and serve the
coffee because ordinary servants were rarely taken on such outings.12
When an important guest such as Thesiger, or a representative of
the British government, or as happened frequently in the 1950s a
party from the oil company wanted to travel to a particular part of the
country the Ruler usually sent one of his brothers or another relative
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