Traditional Dhow Festival, Qatar

For centuries fishermen, pearl divers, and traders from Africa to India relied on the boats known as dhows for their livelihood. To honour that rich maritime heritage, a festival celebrating the traditional dhow is held annually in Doha, Qatar. This year, dhows from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, along with their proud owners, took part. Visitors climbed aboard the dhows and imagined themselves as modern day Sinbads. Musicians and dancers performed, there was a pearl diving competition and rowing races between the crews of working dhows, local childrens' group demonstrated traditional games and craftsmen demonstrated the methods used in building a dhow.

[@stephensmith799]

Wonderful sailing vessels. I love how they look....