Page 81 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

The pre-war economy: pearl fishing, 1899-1915 497

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specially included as security in the agreement between himself and the
Musaqqam. There is, however, an alternative to these severe measures
and, except in the ease of wilfully defaulting Nakhudas, it is almost
invariably preferred b)r the Salifat-al-Ghaus,—a tribunal presently to
bo mentioned j it consists in the fixing of annual instalments for the
discharge of the debt, and, when this has been done by a decree of the
Salifat-al-Ghaus and a paper has been given by the Musaqqam to the
Nakhuda stating the amount of the debt and of the annual instalment,
the Nakhuda is free to form relations with another Musaqqam. In the
event * of hi6 finding a patron, the new Musaqqam b}r whom lie is
entertained becomes liable to the former Musaqqam for the regular
payment of the annual instalments and so continues as long as the
Nakhuda remains in his service, and the debts of the original Musaqqam
must be discharged in full before the new Musaqqam can claim repayment
of any which may have become due to himself, but the second Musaqqam
enjoys a priority over any third or later Musaqqam similar to that
which the first Musaqqam possesses in regard to himself.
Nakhudas The obligations of divers to Nakhudas arc similar, that is to say,
ind divers. no diver may leave the service of a Nakhuda to whom he
owes anything, and, if a diver violates this rule, the new Nakhuda by
whom he is entertained is held responsible to the.old Nakhuda for. the
whole amount of the debts due to the latter by the diver.
Capitalists The Musaqqam, it should be noted, i6 not bound to dispose of liis
m a pearls to the merchant from whom he may have borrowed money for his
Mu.nqq»in>. opcratiollB
Tiibunals. The rules just described are enforced in every Arab principality by a
tribunal known as the Salifat-al-Ghaus ^jBl wdU or “Diving Court.”
This tribunal is not a permanent institution but is constituted, when
required, by the Shaikh of the principality, who appoints one or more
men—generally Nakhudas of repute who are well versed in the usages
of the pearl fisheries—to compose it and act as judges. Before this
tribunal the Musaqqam, the Nakhuda and the diver all stand on an equal
footing ; and by its decision they arc absolutely bound. The Sfdifah does
not itself administer oaths, and, when an oath is necessary, the parties are
sent before a Qadhi in order that it may be taken.

Special financial features of the fishery on the Persian side.

We have now dealt fully with the finance and working of the
Arabian pearl fisheries; but, though many Persian boats take part in
the operations there and the manner of prosecutiug the industry is
much the same upon both coasts of the Gulf, it is advisable, before
passing on to consider the trade in pearls as distinguished from the
business of procuring them, that we should take note of certain
differences which prevail upon the Persian side.
On that side the fishery is less highly organised than on the