Shawati' Issue 64

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Shawati’ 64

Emirates and he was fortunate to know particularly well Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai. He photographed the late President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a baby at Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain and also knew the current ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a baby and then as a young boy living on Shindagha in Dubai. During this time, he was also able to enjoy his hobby – photography. A hobby that would ultimately prove to be of great value to the history of the UAE as it turned into the world’s largest collection of photographs of the UAE, pre-oil and pre-Union. Initially, his main interest was photography but that quickly began to reflect his deep interest in the people and their lifestyle. t was not a collection of photographs, therefore, of only rulers, formal occasions or spectacular events but captured all aspects of a lifestyle that has all but disappeared. My father’s love of the Trucial Coast and his time living here translated into bedtime stories for my brother and me as youngsters. Mostly, these were all about Bedu, ruling families, tribal affairs and incidents. All left a lasting impression on me and remain embedded in my mind. I think I am, therefore, incredibly fortunate to know something of the old way of life as well as having experienced the new. The most notable impressions left with me about the old way of life was that of the Bedu – men, women and children surviving in an incredibly hostile environment, putting their faith in Allah and their own capabilities.

Ronald Codrai upon his arrival in Sharjah in April 1948. He had travelled from Beirut where he had studied Arabic at the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies [MECAS] and, having completed the course, has set out to explore that Arab World and to practice his Arabic. Ronald Codrai © Justin Codrai

A lonely Bedu in a sea of sand. Surrounded by the harsh environment with one of the hottest temperatures on earth, very little water and food, the Bedu placed his trust and future in the hands of Allah, April 1953. Ronald Codrai © DCT Abu Dhabi

The Bedu lived in a land where there was little of everything – little water, few livestock and sparse agriculture. The

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L ike many long-term expats living in the UAE, I now consider it my home. I am an outsider for sure, but one whose family has been connected with the Emirates, and the Trucial Coast before that, for seventy five years. I was conceived on what was then known as the Trucial Coast but grew up in other Arab countries - Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. I like to think, therefore, that I am able to note the differences between, for example, the Arabs of the Levant where I grew up, and the Gulf Arabs of the Emirates with whom I have lived and worked for some years. I hope that what I raise here in this first of a series of articles will strike a chord amongst many Emiratis who read them in understanding a common bond that they have with their fellow countrymen and, particularly, what makes them unique. When I was small and growing up in Syria, my father, Ronald Codrai, who had lived and worked on the Trucial Coast from 1948 until early 1956, greatly missed his life here on the Coast. He travelled back from wherever we were living at the time as often as he could, but it was not the same for him and, in any event, the Emirates were changing as the effects of oil were felt and, of course, as the Emirates were moving towards unification into the United Arab Emirates. His life on the Coast was varied and adventurous, as he would travel around as part of his job as a Political Liaison Officer for the company that was hoping to discover oil. His job meant regular contact with all of the ruling families of the seven

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A small caravan of camels being led by Bedu retainers and with lady riders. Photographed near the Maqta crossing to Abu Dhabi Island, the party was on its way to Buraimi for the summer months. The lead camel was ridden by Sheikha Salama bint Butti Al Qubaisi, the mother of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 10 May 1949. Ronald Codrai © DCT Abu Dhabi

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