Page 369 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

The Appeal of the Pirate Coast

I)k. I\ W. Harrison

D EBAI has been visited again. Those who know Arabia will U 1
very happy over the news for Debai is one of the places where §
we want to see missionary work established, and every vim I
brings the achievement nearer. In many ways the Pirate Cojut I
with Debai its capital is the most appealing and attractive of all the I
unoccupied districts in Arabia. |
Centuries ago when the excesses of the Caliphs in Damascus and I
Baghdad wore out the patience of the Puritans of those days, a number ft
emigrated in places where religion might lie kept pure. Sumc went to f
the Miiitlieusleru curlier of Arabia where they net up llie cnmuuiuitki ft
which we find there now. Kmigralious of that type require great |
energy and conviction, and to ibis day the most energetic Arabs of the ft
Peninsula are to be found on that coast. They are notable traveller!, I
and bring many of their imports from India in their own sailing boat* I
in spite of the fact that British India steamers call every fortnight. I
Their sailing boats sell Basrah dates along the whole Arabian coast, and ft
indeed along the coasts of Africa and India. A hundred years ago iliciv 1
energy and courage made them very successful pirates, but the Uriinh ft
have policed the waters of the Persian Gulf for many years now, and ft
this exciting game is nearly forgotten. Dozens of rusty old caiuu* I
seen in the different towns along the coast, are the only reminders of |
the old days. A much better living is found now in honest pearl diving I
The energy and courage of these Arabs are outstanding, but the ft
virtue which most impresses a visitor is their hospitality. Arabia is the I
home of hospitality, but the hospitality' of the Pirate Coast is scared; I
to be equalled elsewhere even in Arabia. Walking out to visit a friend 1
who was perhaps two miles away from town in the desert, l stopped a f
a little date stick hut to ask for a drink of water, the day being deq*r. |
ately hot and the sand very heavy for walking. Mv host was delighted I
to see the stranger, and brought out fresh dates and milk in addition u* I
the drink of water which had been asked for. I remember once itup. I
ping for a few hours at a house whose proprietor was out, no one being I
at home except a few slaves. These slaves had no access to the store* 1
rooms, but they set before us immediately the best they could provide, I
a very simple meal of fish and rice, their own food, going hungry tlic«. 1
selves as a result. !*
These descendants of men who preferred to live on a desolate and
barren coast rather than how down lo irreligious overlords in Mcsoj^
tamia and Syria have inherited their forefathers’ independence. Fw
decades they have fought desperately to keep western civilization at bay
Their energy and ability have built up the trade of their capital cit, i
Debai until it stands second in the Gulf. Nevertheless no foreign ll* \
Hies on that coast, not even from the roof of a consulate or a telegraph ,
office. They refused to allow the establishment of a quarantine c\c*
when plague was carrying off their people by the thousand. The)
decline all offers of a telegraph station. An Indian Moslem who )u4