Recently, Kuwait held its annual Diving Pearl Diving Festival. Before the discovery of oil and gas, pearl mining and fishing were the main sources of income for the local population in Kuwait. Today, oil and gas exports have allowed Kuwaitis to live a prosperous life, but pearl mining is still regarded as a very important part of the traditional culture of the nation.
On August 17, in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, a diver obtains pearls from mussels. Xinhua/AFP
This pearl collected by divers was photographed on August 17 in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital. Xinhua/AFP
On August 17, in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, divers returned to port on vintage sailing ships. Xinhua/AFP
Children wave to divers returning to port on August 17 in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital. Xinhua/AFP
On August 17, in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, divers participate in pearl mining. Xinhua/AFP
On August 17, in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, divers participate in pearl mining. Xinhua/AFP
On August 17, in Kuwait City, Kuwait's capital, divers participate in pearl mining. Xinhua/AFP