Communities of Dubai: UAE Nationals

Melting pot has become the term used more and more frequently to describe the growing population of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. The quarter of a century since the federation of the Emirates has witnessed a phenomenal growth of population which is made up of a wide variety of nationalities. A unique aspect of life in the UAE is the harmonious co-existence of so many people from different cultures, races, walks of life and religions without the explosions of conflict which are so common elsewhere.

The estimated total population of the UAE is approximately two and a half million. Soon after the federation of 1971, the decision was made by the government to modernize the country as rapidly as possible. This undertaking was made feasible by the exploitation of the abundant petroleum reserves which had been discovered. Because of the large area of the country and the relatively small population, a migrant work force had to be imported in order to build and maintain the modern infrastructure and to run the necessary services. The larger percentage of the population, therefore, resides in the country on the basis of renewable work permits.

In the midst of this migrant population, the nationals are the constant around which all else revolves. Who are they and what is their background?

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah, and Fujairah. In past centuries, this geographic area has been variously known as the Trucial Sheikhdoms, the Trucial Coast and later the formal designation as the Trucial States, which was the name was used in the 19th century agreement between Great Britain and the historically fragmented sheikhdoms.

The arid landscape of the region could only support a small population, which historically was made up predominantly of bedouin tribes, along with small settlements of fishermen, pearl divers, and seafarers dotted along the coasts, and villages in the temperate mountains and the major oases.

Internal commerce before the motor car was minimal, with much of that traffic devoted to trade in food stuffs. A caravan transporting dried fish to the inland oasis of Al Ain took seven days hard walking with paniered camels. Any other agricultural activity outside of date plantations, limited as it was, took place at the inland settlements in the mountainous regions.

Before the federation and before oil, formal frontiers were of little consequence to the tribal groups. Rather it was the history of family and clan rights to an area based on water and grazing that formed the basis of land rights. These groups occupied themselves with animal husbandry, which required them to constantly shift location in the search for grazing and water.

The 'hather' townspeople developed systems of commerce to trade in the various goods needed in the interior, while pearls from the Gulf waters were one of the few commodities which could be traded with other nations. The most developed trade ties were with the British colonial territorities of the subcontinent, the southern coast of Persia and East Africa. These countries have continued to influence the foreign and trade relations of the sheikhdoms and have added a great deal to the unique character of the Emirates.

It was the Al Qawasim based in Ras al Khaimah who were the dominant seafarers of the time. Extending their influence across the Straits of Hormuz, the Gulf and South Persia, this tribe held under its sway the small islands in the Gulf on which the Al Ali and other tribes lived. Many of today's generation of UAE nationals find their roots in the Al Qawasim.

The clans of Al Bu Falah, Al Bu Falasah, Qubaisat, Mazar, Hawamil and Al Rashid are among the important tribes in Arab history, and the subdivisions of these are the families from whom the Emiratis are proud to claim their ancestry. The tribal structure in the area has seen constant evolution with the shifting of loyalties based on battles and changes of fortunes. The ruling families in each of the Emirates (Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, Al Maktoum of Dubai, two branches of Al Qasimi in Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah, Al Nuami of Ajman, Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain, and Al Sharqi in Fujairah) still form the backbone of the Emirates.

The Al Maktoums originate from the Al Bu Falasah section of 'Bani Yas', a branch originally founded in Abu Dhabi. They have long claimed allegiance from both the larger and smaller bedu families in the Emirate of Dubai.

Dubai has always enjoyed a greater exposure to a variety of cultures due to the extended trade routes it developed. Although the majority of UAE nationals are directly descended from the bedouin tribesmen who settled the coastal plains, the demographic composition of Dubai has been enriched as a direct result of relations with the northern Gulf states, the subcontinent, Oman, Yemen, East Africa, and even the island of Socotra.

The discovery of oil has meant that demographic change has occurred at a spectacular rate. Where only thirty years ago there were barasti settlements and bedouin tents, there are now steel and glass skyscrapers. Where once there were few wells, there are now vast green landscapes.

Despite the tremendous economic and social changes, every UAE national is brought up with full knowledge of his background. The very fact of the number of the expatriate guests among them has reinforced the importance of tradition and their allegiance to tribe and now the nation state.