Emirati Art of Fish Preservation is being passed on to the younger generation by their parents in the UAE.

In the heart of Sharjah's Dibba Al Hisn, the 12th edition of the Al Maleh and Fishing Festival is currently underway, attracting Emirati families and visitors alike. This annual event, organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with Dibba Al Hisn Municipality, has grown into one of the UAE's most important heritage events.

At the festival, children are offered a hands-on experience with Emirati heritage. They gather around demonstrations, asking questions about the traditional methods of fish preservation. Emirati artisans showcase their skills, twisting ropes from date palm fibres, shaping wooden fishing boats, and knotting nets.

For many Emirati families, the festival is an annual tradition. Ali, a Senior Correspondent who often covers compelling news and human interest stories in the UAE, shares that the festival helps children learn and remember the stories of Al Maleh. Ali belongs to a family of fishermen and learned the art from his uncle. He and his family continue to make Al Maleh every year and store it for months.

For Saeed, Al Maleh is not just food, but also a symbol of the economy of entire Emirati villages. He believes that bringing his family to the festival helps them understand the struggles and strength of the generations before them. Saeed Al Dhuhoori, an Emirati from Sharjah, is attending the festival with his family and uses the opportunity to pass on the story of survival associated with Al Maleh.

Ali Bin Saeed al Shamsi, an Emirati in his fifties, has been learning about fish preserving practices since his childhood. He recalls standing by as his uncle cut fish and rubbed it with salt, and waiting for seagulls to steal pieces. Fresh fish is sliced, layered with salt, and packed tightly into containers for preservation, which can last for months or even up to a year.

The festival serves as a reminder for Ali of his past and connects him to his heritage. Parents and grandparents walk side by side with children to ensure traditional knowledge is not forgotten. As the sun sets over the festival, the aroma of Al Maleh fills the air, a testament to the enduring significance of this traditional Emirati dish in the UAE's culinary landscape.

Emirati Art of Fish Preservation is being passed on to the younger generation by their parents in the UAE.