By Sarah Al-Mukhaizeem
KUWAIT, Jan 5 (KUNA) -- Eating fish is and remains as a delicacy in Kuwait since the days of old and due to this fact, the fish market became an integral site that regulated and organized the fishing business.
In his book "Old Kuwaiti markets", researcher Mohammad Abdulhadi Jamal said that the first fish market was constructed in the era of the fifth ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah bin Sabah II who ruled the country between 1866 and 1892.
The ruler of Kuwait instructed Hassan Al-Sammak - a renowned ship builder - to supervise the construction of the market which was located near Al-Furrdah market.
In 1892, the fish market was re-located near the vegetable souk, said Jamal who added that in the era of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, who ruled Kuwaiti between 1896 and 1915, the market was expanded and developed to accommodate the increasing flow of business.
Around 30 shops were selling fish in the market, said Jamal who added that the people running the facility were given the title "Al-Jazzaf" basically individuals who are in charge of selling the goods.
From early morning, through the afternoon, and also in the early hours of the evening, the mission of Al-Jazzaf was to sell all his stock of fish for the day and if that could not happen, the goods were preserved in a cool facility to be sold the following day.
Though things have changed in modern time, the fish market still remain as a vital location for people to get their fresh fish which then become delicious meals on the tables of households in Kuwait. (end) sm.gta