Works
Songs from the Shore
In this work, Manal AlDowayan reflects on the relation that women have had with the sea through time. This connection, covering centuries of history, is today linked to concerns about climate change and an urgent warning to heal the planet. Fishing economies, which have been key to the Arabian Gulf region since the third millennium BC, are at the heart of this reflection. The pearl and date trade connected continents, reaching as far as India and Africa. At the same time, a musical culture linked to the fishing sector flourished: each ship carried a musician who composed and disseminated songs and poems, and who helped sailors to get through the long months on the sea. This culture also had an influence on women, who, unable to go to sea, created their own rituals and songs. They would go to the seashore to pray for the return of their loved ones, burning seawater to purify the waters and ensure their safety. AlDowayan's work connects this tradition with today's environmental challenges and highlights how art can be a tool for reflection and social change.
