Sheikh Mohammed is descended from one of the most notable tribes in Arabia, Bani Yaas. To his family Bedouin culture and traditions are vital. All people of the desert are brought up to be completely at one with nature, since in such an environment understanding nature is the key to survival. Sheikh Mohammed was brought up to read the desert sands as most other people read the stories in a book. He can tell his own camel's footprints even if it was in a herd of a hundred others. He knows nature's rhythms, when birds migrate, when flowers bloom and he can look at something as tiny as a beetle's track, and tell you if it was minutes, hours or days ago. He can track and catch snakes and scorpions and is as comfortable holding them in his hand as he is with his falcons and saluki dogs.Sheikh Mohammed understands the nature of the sea as deeply as he understands that of the land. Historically, pearl diving was a very important part of the income in Dubai and the other Emirates. Sheikh Mohammed would dive for pearls regularly, but unlike in modern diving there was no scuba gear used. The best pearl divers could hold their breath for one or two minutes, perhaps longer. Sheikh Mohammed still pearl dives as a hobby now.
