During the economic depression in early 1930th, Dubai had daily scenes of marching columns of servants carrying trays of cooked food, bread and fruits; covered with woven plates from palm thatches. These columns usually are on the move a little earlier than the typical meal timings. They march bear-footed from the houses of mighty and influential merchants towards the Ruler’s Residency in Shandagha district. There, anyone can seat relaxing, fill his belly, and take parcels back home for his hungry family. At that time, Dubai was hit by economic and financial crisis that almost lift everyone with empty pockets.
Senior merchants of Dubai had monopolized the businesses of pearl, gold and commodities across The Gulf and Arabian Sea. They determined to support the Ruler’s way of life. This spontaneous attitude was the significant interpretation of local democratic practice that always kept the tiny state stable and prosperous. In any other country, such a deficit would replace the ruling family with a wealthier and a mightier one. But in Dubai’s unique system of authority; it was a loud “Sayihah”; which is the traditional Arabic distressed call for help, unity and solidarity.
Such an event and many more were neglected by political scientists, who found it an odd practice to investigate. Regretfully, the history of Arabs is mostly oral, hard to trace or scrutinize, except by tools and applications of folkloric studies.
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