For a nation that has only come to the modern world’s attention since the discovery of petroleum, Kuwait has had a rich and diverse history. Archeologists have discovered chipped flint tools from 10,000 years ago, indicating that Stone Age people ranged through the area. A site in Sabbiya on the north shore of Kuwait Bay has yielded evidence of the oldest proper settlement in the region, dating to 4500 BC. Pottery fragments, knives, and beads found there indicate that the site was used by Ubaid settlers, the same people who populated ancient Mesopotamia. This means that the earliest settlers of Kuwait were cousins of the Sumerians, who developed the first recorded human civilization.

Two millennia later, the Dilmun Empire dominated the Arabian Gulf region from its capital in Bahrain. This maritime trading civilization flourished between 2300 and 1100 BC, and had settlements in Failaka, the island 20 kilometers from the southern promontory of Kuwait Bay. Archeologists have uncovered a complete Dilmun town there, including dwellings, public buildings, granaries, and a temple dedicated to the god Inzak. These are some of the best structural remains on earth from the Bronze Age.

The Birth of Modern Kuwait

In 1710, much of the Utub tribe emigrated from Najd in what is now Saudi Arabia because of a devastating drought. They moved first to Qatar, and eventually to Qurain with its deep wells, and lived peacefully under the aegis of the then strongest sheikh in Eastern Arabia. Records of the British East India Company indicate that the Utubi Sabah family was living in Kuwait by 1716.

In 1756 the long-term residents of Qurain, who spent much of their time at sea, and the newly arrived immigrants decided that the instability in the area called for the establishment of a permanent government. By consensus and acclamation, they chose the Sabah family to rule, and modern Kuwait was born. The first Amir was Sabah ibn Jaber, and all twelve of the succeeding rulers have been descendants of his.

The system is not a strictly hereditary one. Though many amirs have succeeded their fathers, the ruling family chooses the most qualified man from each succeeding generation of Sabahs. The current crown prince, for example, is a cousin of the current Amir.

With a ruling family from the interior of Arabia, and a large population of nomads, the country had strong desert and bedouin ties from the start. The bedouins continued their existence as wandering herdsmen of sheep, goats, and camels, living in tents woven from livestock hair, and moving on every ten days or so. They were renowned for being austere, fiercely independent, and yet extremely loyal and hospitable. They lived chiefly on rice, yogurt, and dates — and lamb on special occasions.

They carried on their customs and crafts of weaving and falconry, and had a rich tradition of folktales, songs, and dances. In the winters they would roam searching for grazing land, while in the scorching summers they would camp around the wells and oases near Kuwait City. This brought them into contact with the permanent settlement of traders and seamen and, increasingly, pearl divers and merchants that was growing around the harbor.

Dizzying Change

It is a cliché, but true: Older Kuwaitis have probably witnessed more change in their lives than anyone in the history of the planet. They can recall life before motorcars and airplanes, which would be inconceivable to their grandchildren. They can remember when Kuwait didn’t extend past the First Ring Road, when Hawalli was a desert village, and when Salmiya was a few mud huts around a tree. Today the entire area is a vast urban sprawl.

The city grew under three successive “master plans”. The city walls were demolished by 1954, and the oil wealth allowed Kuwaitis to build their new city to international standards. The government opened up building projects, allowing generous mortgages, and giving free housing to the indigent. Most bedouins eventually settled in town. Consumer goods from all over the world began to flood Kuwait, and shopping centers sprang up rapidly. Souks became markets, which in turn became vast complexes in residential areas.

Abdullah’s reign also saw the end of the agreement with Britain, as stability and inter-Arab cooperation made it obsolete. On 19 June 1961, Kuwait regained full sovereignty, but within a week was facing a serious challenge to its existence. The then President of Iraq, Abdulkarim Qasim, claimed that Kuwait was Iraqi territory. Abdullah Al-Salem acted promptly, requesting Britain to send a force to defend Kuwait. The problem was then referred to the League of Arab States, which sent a joint Arab security force to replace the British force in defending Kuwait. All the Arab governments rejected Qasim’s baseless claim and recognized Kuwait’s independence. Kuwait joined the Arab League on 20 July 1961, and the United Nations on 14 May 1963.

The country adopted a constitution in 1962 and ratified it in 1963. It established a democratic system with a National Assembly holding legislative authority, and the Amir and his Council of Ministers holding executive powers. The document also guarantees a broad range of freedoms and rights, including freedom of conscience and religion, personal liberty, the sanctity of private property, equality before the law, and the right to due process. The press also enjoys complete freedom.             

Kuwait also became an important player in the international family of nations, and with its wealth it became a major foreign aid donor. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is active throughout the Arab world and beyond. Kuwait independently supports projects in non-Arab, non-Muslim nations as well, and has given as much as eight per cent of its annual gross national product in foreign aid. The country was instrumental in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981, through which the states of the Gulf maintain regional security, stability, and progress.

The Iran-Iraq war brought security problems, and of course the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait were a political, social, and economic disaster. Many economic and social programs had to be deferred. But Kuwait has rebounded spectacularly. The economy is still strong, and social and political programs are all back on track. The oil reserves guarantee its strength for future years, although efforts are being made to diversify the economy.

Kuwait and its people are proud of their heritage, determined to continue their social progress, and confident about the future.