Nakhuda is a term originating from the Persian language which literally means Captain. Derived from nāv boat + khudā master, from Middle Persian khutāi a 'master of a native vessel' or 'Lord of the Ship'. Historically, people with this epithet are Muslim and Kamili Jewish ship owning merchants of Persian origin, known to have crossed the Persian Gulf to trade in other coastal areas of the world. Besides in Southern Iran those with the surname Nakhuda can be found in coastal areas of the world in small numbers such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, Malaysia and India. There is a town called Nakhl-e Nakhoda in southern Iran, Hormozgan Province on the Persian Gulf. It is also a title historically associated with pearl diving. The modern Gulf Arabic for the title would be 'Qubtan'. Arabian Pearling vessels would typically take to sea with the Nakhuda, assistant Mijadimi, a singer Nahham, some 8 divers Ghais, and ten haulers Saib. The cook on the vessel was titled Jallas. Larger boats would even include a Muttawa to lead prayers. The vessels ranged from the relatively small Banoosh to the 100-foot Jalboot, a corruption of the English term jollyboat. The trade was lucrative - at the turn of the 19th Century, revenues from the Gulf pearl trade were estimated at some £1,434,000, with an additional £30,439 of this earned from mother-of-pearl. Lorimer records, in the early 20th century, 1,200 boats involved in the trade across the Trucial States, each carrying an average crew of 18.
Role
The nakhuda was responsible for selecting dive locations and for selling the catch, but the date of sailing to the oyster banks and the duration of the voyage would be set by the admiral of each port's pearling fleet. This official would be appointed by the Ruler. The actual work of pearling was dangerous and exhausting - divers would make up to 60 dives a day. The accumulated catch would be piled up and then in the early morning of the following day, the nakhuda would be responsible for overseeing the opening of the oysters, weighing and registering the catch of small pearls and selecting particularly fine pearls for individual sale. One nakhuda was assigned as the leader of the port's fleet for the 120-day season from June–September and would take responsibility for co-ordinating efforts to help any boat in trouble. He would also lead the return voyage.
Trade
Visiting the pearl banks during the season, the pearl dealers, tawwash, would buy the bulk catch from the nakhuda, sorting the pearls using grading pans. Nakhudas would seek individual sales for larger or outstanding pearls, taking them to a pearl trader, or tajir. Typically, nakhudas financed their voyages, although some were financed by merchants and obligated to yield their catch in return for a share in proceeds.
