'Kuwait Heritage Society' Organizes Seminar on Origin and Ancient Homeland of Al-Attiyah

The Kuwait Heritage Association hosted a cultural seminar titled “The History of the Al-Attiyah: Origins and Ancient Homeland,” presented by researcher Abdulrahman Waleed bin Salama, in celebration of the publication of his book, “The History of the Al-Attiyah: A Critical Analytical Study, 1650–1828,” which examines a crucial phase in the history of the Al-Attiyah and their social and economic transformations.

During the seminar, bin Salama covered ten main themes from the book, shedding light on the ancient homeland of the Al-Attiyah and their seasonal livelihood patterns, as well as the transformations that occurred after their migration to Kuwait. They transitioned from a seasonal lifestyle to a more active and continuous year-round pattern, engaging in pearl diving during the summer and in sailing and trade during the winter.

He noted that sailing played a pivotal role in revitalizing Kuwait’s port, making it a destination for receiving goods at competitive prices. This encouraged tribes to settle near the port and in its vicinity. He pointed out that the earliest Najdi migrations to Kuwait date back to 1713, citing the first documented Najdi migration recorded by Ibn Isa in his manuscript.

Regarding the methodology employed in preparing the book, bin Salama explained that he relied on a diverse range of sources, including oral narratives, local and foreign historical documents, archaeological studies, and old and modern British reports. He emphasized that combining these sources and subjecting them to analysis and critique contributed to building a more comprehensive historical study.

He stressed the importance of historical documentation, stating that the information and findings reached by researchers should not be left vulnerable to forgetfulness or loss. Instead, they must be recorded and published in scholarly works that preserve them and allow future generations to benefit from them. He noted that the idea for the book originated in 2002, when he was a university student, before becoming clearer five years ago, at which point the actual work of authoring began, with the project completing its publication in 2026.

Bin Salama praised the role of Dr. Faisal Al-Wazan, highlighting his significant contribution in compiling all documents related to Kuwait and the Al-Attiyah into a single volume, which facilitated his access to these documents, enabling him to connect, analyze, and critique them. He also acknowledged Dr. Al-Wazan’s foreword for the book, expressing his appreciation for his efforts in serving and documenting Kuwait’s history. Regarding the future of the research project, he revealed that there are second and third parts of the book, as part of the ongoing effort to continue researching and documenting the history of the Al-Attiyah.