Title: INDIGENOUS CLASSIFICATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE RED SEA BLACK CORAL

Abstract: Precious materials, such as red and black coral, have gained in value because they are natural organic resources living in the deep-sea environment, which, for a long time, have presented humans with considerable difficulties in collecting them. Despite their economic and cultural importance, little is known about the basic biology and ecology of black corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Antipatharia) because most species inhabit deeper-water environments (>50 m), which are logistically challenging to study (Wagner et al. 2012). In the Red Sea area, black coral has been known to, and valued by, local people for a considerable period. The axial skeleton of black coral is formed by a brown or black extremely hard proteinaceous material which, when cut and polished, is used for making jewelry and prayer beads (Vine 1986). Prayer beads made of black coral are known as “yusr”, an Arabic word meaning “ease” or “well-being”. Based on my field study in Sinai, Egypt, fishermen of the Red Sea viewed black corals as living creatures because they wrapped themselves around the men when they moved close to the coral. The fishermen shaved their bodies and removed all their clothes before diving and recited the “basmalah” when cutting the coral. Humans believed they could only reach the precious material, and overcome their fear of water, when they invoked divine protection. There is an undersea world that lies out of reach of the knowledge and activities of helpless humans, even though it is included within the range of marine resource conservation or ecosystem-based management.

Authors: Nawata H

Presentation: Oral

Session: 66

Date: 06/20/16

Time: 11:15

Location: 302 A/B

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