Kenya

The dhow is synonymous with navigation along the Kenyan coast, reflecting centuries of design evolution and a primary vehicle of trade and cultural exchange. While the number of dhow boat builders has declined in most regions, the art remains vibrant in the Lamu archipelago where the boats still play a major part in daily life and livelihood. Characterized by a narrow frame that sits low in the water and a massive sail, there are many sizes of dhows, ranging from small canoe-like mashuas to huge ocean-going jahazis.

Many of the remaining dhow builders practice other forms of carpentry, using simple hand tools to create highly ornate doors, headboards for beds, chests and boxes, and tables and chairs. Their styles reflect cultural influences from across the Indian Ocean, particularly Oman and India. Some craftsmen also make carved scale-model dhows and other purely decorative items.

FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS

A master carver and dhow builder from Lamu Old Town on Lamu Island, Ali “Skanda” Abdalla Ali was born to a family of crafts- and businessmen whose trade reached as far as Egypt and Arabia. His late father is considered one of the pioneers of Swahili handicraft, starting his career as a dhow builder and sailor, and then becoming an internationally recognized Swahili wood carver. Ali is continuing his family’s legacy of dhow building, sailing, and wood carving. He is locally known for his dedication to the preservation of Swahili traditional craft and continuing this work with the community’s youth by providing a workshop and vocational training.

Ali Bakari Bwana, known as Ali Baba, is a Swahili native of Matondoni on Lamu Island. The town is known for dhow building and traditional mat weaving. For Ali Baba, dhow building is in his blood. With no formal education, he grew up knowing that he would always be a dhow builder, so he mastered the trade skills, becoming one of the most well-known contemporary dhow builders in the Lamu area. Today, Ali stills lives in Matondoni and is known along the coast as an expert builder and sailor.

Ali Bakari Bwana, known as Ali Baba, applies fibrous material to the seams on the dhow in order to make the boat watertight.

Photo by Rachel Winslow, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ali Abdalla Ali (Ali Skanda) from Lamu Old Town talks about his carving and dhow-building skills at the Karibuni workshop venue.

Photo by Maggie Pelta-Pauls,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ali Baba, from Mantondoni on Lamu Island, works on the dhow at the Folklife Festival.

Photo by Francisco Guerra,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

A master wood carver, Ali Skanda demonstrates his skills at the Folklife Festival.

Photo by Maggie Pelta-Pauls,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ahmed Mohamed Nongodha, a kofia hat maker from the Kenyan coast, helps with detail work on the dhow.

Photo by Walter Larrimore, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ali Baba and Ali Skanda work on the final touches to the dhow.

Photo by Pruitt Allen,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ali Skanda rigs the dhow that he built and had sent to the National Mall for the Kenya: Mambo Poa program.

Photo by Maggie Pelta-Pauls,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

Ahmed Mohamed Nongodha, Ali Baba, and Ali Skanda proudly pose in front of the completed dhow.

Photo by Walter Larrimore,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution

The completion of a dhow is commemorated with music and dance. Salim Mohamed Atwaa, Mbarak Ali Haji Msuo, Ahmed Yusuf Suleiman, Ali Baba, and Ali Skanda begin the celebration.

Photo by Hermine Dreyfuss,Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution