What is a dhow?

This is exactly the question I asked myself when I heard that we were going to visit a dhow factory in Oman.

The first confusion for me starts with the name. Is it a dhow or a dhows? In English it is definitely called a dhow. Which article do you use – the, the or the?

So what is it?

Dhows are traditional Arab wooden vessels that have sailed the waters of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean for centuries. They were and are mainly used for fishing, trading and pearl diving.

They are not just one type of ship, but a group of around 60 different types, each with its own name. They come in different sizes, ranging from small single-masted vessels to large transport ships. Depending on the size of the ship, a dhow has one to three masts and large trapezoidal segments.

Typical features of dhows

Dhows are characterised by the following features:

• Wooden construction: They are traditionally built from wood, usually teak or acacia logs.
• Characteristic curved hull: Dhows have a characteristic curved hull without a keel.
• Large separating sail: The large separating sail is the main means of propulsion.
• Ornamentation: Ships are often elaborately decorated with carvings and paintings. Each ship is individually designed and therefore unique.

Origin and history

The origins of the dhows date back to ancient times. As early as the 3rd millennium BC, the ancient Sumerians sailed ships of a similar design in the Persian Gulf. In the 1st millennium BC, the Phoenicians, followed by the Greeks and Romans, developed ocean-going vessels similar to today’s dhows for the Indian Ocean. With the spread of Islam from the 7th century AD, the Arab dhows became increasingly important for trade and travel. Cities such as Basra, Siraf and Sohar became important maritime hubs. The dhow tradition was consolidated along the trade routes from East Africa via the Persian Gulf to India, Southeast Asia and China.

Oman as a centre for dhow building

Oman played a prominent role in this. From the 16th century, the city of Sur became one of the major centres of dhow shipbuilding. Omani shipbuilders perfected the construction of cargo-carrying baggalas and fast ghanjah dhows for war and trade. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the dhow trade flourished in Oman under the rulers of the Al Bu Said dynasty. The Omanis controlled some of the maritime trade in the Indian Ocean and established trading posts from East Africa to India.

Decline and revival

With the advent of steamships and industrial ships in the 19th century, dhows became less important for overseas trade. In Oman, however, the traditional construction method was retained. Dhow building experienced a renaissance in the 1970s when the government launched programmes to preserve this maritime heritage. To this day, dhows are still built by hand in Sur. Oman is one of the last places in the world where this millennia-old shipbuilding tradition is still practiced.

Dhow factory in Sur

In Sur, we stop in front of a nondescript complex of buildings. Behind the gate is the last dhow yard in Oman. It is a private shipyard.

Traditional wooden boats are still built here the way they used to be. The old ways of working have been passed down from generation to generation and have changed little despite the use of modern tools. Today, more modern saws are used to cut the planks to size. But the boards are still joined together without, for example, metal nails. This is not easy. The teak or acacia logs from India that are used for construction are not easy to work with. On the other hand, the wood is very strong and promises a long life for the boats if handled properly.

Visitors to the Dhow Factory in Oman can watch a new ship being built slowly, piece by piece. During our visit, two hulls stand on large wooden frames. The starting point for the hull is the strong keel timber, around which the shipbuilders lay the planks horizontally. In tiny steps, the cut planks gradually take on the characteristic curved shape of a dhow. Depending on the size of the ship, this process can take between 3 and 6 months.

Once the hull is finished, the interior is designed. Today, of course, the dhow is no longer fitted out in the traditional style. Customers pay up to 400,000 euros for a vessel and expect modern amenities such as luxurious air-conditioned cabins and powerful engines. Once completed, the ships are often used for tourist purposes, such as sailing trips.

However, buyers still value the traditional carvings that make the ship unmistakable.

The museum

There is also a small museum on the premises. When we walk through the door into the room, I am very surprised. There is a dhow in the middle of the room and you can even climb on board. I was delighted. I can take my time to look at the type of boat and even have a look inside one of the traditionally furnished cabins. On this dhow I also discover the artistic carvings that make the ships so unique.

There are exhibition boards and display cases around the ship. Here, for example, the tools needed to build a dhow are on display. There is information about the type of ship and its distribution, knotology, … everything about the history and development of dhows.

The exhibition space is modern and the exhibits are very well presented. I found it very exciting and think it was the crowning glory of the visit.

Visitor information

Address:

Dhow Factory
Sur, Oman

The visit to the Dhow Factoty was an item on the program during the trip with Zahara Tours.