Salted Fish: UAE's Timeless Legacy

Fish Instead of Money: A Salt-Preserved Legacy in the UAE

Behind the modern skyscrapers, air-conditioned metros, and high-tech economy of today's Dubai lies a past that few truly know. A history where the sea was not only a source of food but also livelihood, culture, and even currency. This world is brought to light by a tradition still preserved in coastal communities like Dibba Al Hisn. Here lives a 75-year-old fisherman who has roamed the sea since he was five—and who tells the living story of salted fish, maleh.

A Life Built on the Sea

Fishing was not merely a trade on the UAE coastline—it was life itself. Generations grew up not only fishing but battling the elements: there was no electricity, no refrigeration, no air conditioning. Survival required adapting to the rhythm of nature.

The winter months—when the sea was calm and the fish supply abundant—were the prime fishing seasons. Tuna, kingfish, and trevally were caught and needed to be stored for the entire year. The hot, desert summer wasn't favorable for sailing, thus previously preserved fish became the main food source.

Maleh – Preserved Survival

The most important method of preservation was maleh—heavily salted fish layered in barrels. Not only was it a source of sustenance, but it was also crucial for the family's economic survival. The fish was cleaned, scored, heavily salted, and then layered into wooden barrels. Salt served as both a flavoring and a preservative, preventing decay for months.

Today, while plastic containers are used, the recipe and intent have not changed. Some families still prepare their annual batch of maleh in winter months—partly for personal consumption and partly for sale.

Fish as Currency

In the past, fish—especially maleh—was not just food. It was also a medium of exchange. Coastal families traded preserved fish for rice, dates, salt, or even clothing. For farmers living inland, fish was a rarity and thus highly valued.

This simple barter system created one of the most ancient micro-economies in the country—between the coastal and inland desert communities. Maleh was not only about survival but was also a connection—a woven network linking people, families, and tribes.

A Tradition That Survives Time

Today, when supermarkets, electric cold chains, and gourmet dining dominate food supply, maleh still exists. Not just as food, but as heritage. The older generations, like the 75-year-old fisherman, pass their knowledge down to their children and grandchildren—not for its monetary value, but to preserve their identity.

The Maleh Festival, held annually, serves precisely this purpose: to remind people that the past hasn't vanished; it's merely transformed. Visitors are often astonished at how such a simple thing—salt and fish—has defined a community's life for centuries.

The Taste That Leads Back to the Past

The unique, intense flavor of salted fish is not everyone's favorite, but for those who grew up with it, a single bite can evoke a torrent of memories. Barrels drying in a family yard, the first sea voyage with grandfather, or steaming rice with maleh from a mother's hand—these are not just memories, but cultural legacies.

Thus, maleh is more than just food: it's history, survival, identity, and community fabric. Each barrel contains the scent, taste, and wisdom of the past.

Conclusion

Tourists visiting the city of Dubai today may never encounter this tradition—but if someone reaches the shores of Dibba Al Hisn and tastes the homemade maleh, they may realize: the modern world is just the surface. Beneath it beats the old heart of the sea.

(The article is based on an elderly fisherman's account.)