A network of traditional knowledge: the intangible heritage of water distribution in Bahrain
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Traditional knowledge of the system of water distributionto farmlands sharing the same scarce fresh waterresources has created relationships which are based onjustice and equal rights among members of the farmingcommunities of Bahrain. Over the centuries, the need tomanage water irrigation led to the development ofcustomary codes which regulated schedules of irrigation,the division of water resources and their equitabledistribution. This framework was informed by both pre-Islamic customary oral traditions and Islamic ethics, andwas transmitted from generation to generation. Theinherited intangible heritage of irrigation law is complexand remained in use until the 1960s. In more recent times, individual farmers using waterpumps and networks of pipelines of government treatedsewage effluent (TSE) were not motivated to maintaintraditional water management customs and haveconsequently stopped attending communal gatheringsand disregarded the customary laws which regulatednotions of fairness among them for centuries. Theresulting uncontrolled usage of the undergroundaquifers by those digging their own wells has in manyareas, led to over-exploitation of water resources and tothe increased salinisation of the underground waterreservoirs. At present, initiatives are being set up to raiseA network of traditional knowledge:the intangible heritage of waterdistribution in Bahrainawareness of the importance of the customary irrigationlaws in ensuring the fair distribution and sustainability ofa rare resource on the island. Fortunately, a number ofBahraini farmers continue to follow the traditional codesand have become valuable knowledge bearers who areencouraged to share their wisdom and skills with theircolleagues. In this article, the authors document aspects of thesophisticated intangible heritage of customary waterirrigation law in Bahrain, covering its features, keyplayers, and the cross-generational transmission as partof an oral knowledge system, which in parts survived andin other parts ceased to exist. They further highlight howthis ancient knowledge can become a basis forsustainable water resource management in Bahrain, aswell as playing a role in disseminating notions offairness, equity and consent, public deliberation andconflict resolution in a local context.
Abstract
Traditional knowledge of the system of water distributionto farmlands sharing the same scarce fresh waterresources has created relationships which are based onjustice and equal rights among members of the farmingcommunities of Bahrain. Over the centuries, the need tomanage water irrigation led to the development ofcustomary codes which regulated schedules of irrigation,the division of water resources and their equitabledistribution. This framework was informed by both pre-Islamic customary oral traditions and Islamic ethics, andwas transmitted from generation to generation. Theinherited intangible heritage of irrigation law is complexand remained in use until the 1960s. In more recent times, individual farmers using waterpumps and networks of pipelines of government treatedsewage effluent (TSE) were not motivated to maintaintraditional water management customs and haveconsequently stopped attending communal gatheringsand disregarded the customary laws which regulatednotions of fairness among them for centuries. Theresulting uncontrolled usage of the undergroundaquifers by those digging their own wells has in manyareas, led to over-exploitation of water resources and tothe increased salinisation of the underground waterreservoirs. At present, initiatives are being set up to raiseA network of traditional knowledge:the intangible heritage of waterdistribution in Bahrainawareness of the importance of the customary irrigationlaws in ensuring the fair distribution and sustainability ofa rare resource on the island. Fortunately, a number ofBahraini farmers continue to follow the traditional codesand have become valuable knowledge bearers who areencouraged to share their wisdom and skills with theircolleagues. In this article, the authors document aspects of thesophisticated intangible heritage of customary waterirrigation law in Bahrain, covering its features, keyplayers, and the cross-generational transmission as partof an oral knowledge system, which in parts survived andin other parts ceased to exist. They further highlight howthis ancient knowledge can become a basis forsustainable water resource management in Bahrain, aswell as playing a role in disseminating notions offairness, equity and consent, public deliberation andconflict resolution in a local context.