The Dhow Builders of Sur: Oman's Lost Maritime Craft

In this episode of The Story of Oman, Lucas and Luna explore the forgotten world of Sur's dhow builders. From the 18th through the early 20th centuries, the coastal town of Sur was the heart of Indian Ocean shipbuilding, producing the sturdy dhows that carried Omani trade from East Africa to India. Lucas tells the story of the Qalhati and Suri shipwrights, their techniques passed down through generations, and the unique batil and ghanjah vessels they crafted. He explains how the arrival of European steamships and the decline of the slave trade slowly eroded this industry, and how a single master builder, Khamis bin Juma, tried to preserve the art into the 1950s. The episode also touches on the cultural significance of the dhow in Omani identity and the recent revival efforts by the Omani government to document and rebuild traditional vessels. This is a story of craftsmanship, trade, and a way of life that nearly disappeared. #Sur #Dhow #Shipbuilding #IndianOcean #Oman #Qalhati #Batil #Ghanjah #KhamisBinJuma #MaritimeHistory #TraditionalCraft #SlaveTrade #Steamships #19thCentury #20thCentury #History #FexingoHistory #Craftsmanship #OmanHistory #OmaniEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo