The Zilzal, a dhow captained by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum, sails towards the finishing line off the coast of Dubai to win a traditional long-distance dhow sailing race on May 14, 2017 © AFP / Karim SAHIB
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 14 – More than 120 traditional dhows retraced a centuries-old pearl diving route off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for an annual boat race.
The “Al-Gaffal” race, Arabic for “The Return”, traces the path pearl-divers would take on their return home from a day at sea.
Dhows participate in the Al-Gaffal traditional long-distance dhow sailing race near the island of Sir Bu Nair on May 14, 2017 © AFP / Karim SAHIB
The wooden dhows with billowing white sails made the 51.3 nautical mile (95-kilometre) journey from the island of Sir Bu Nayer to the Dubai coast.
The winner, the dhow “Zilzal,” or “Earthquake,” was awarded 10 million dirhams ($2.72 million).
Dhows participate in the Al-Gaffal traditional long-distance dhow sailing race near the finish line off of Dubai on May 14, 2017 © AFP / Karim SAHIB
The tradition of dhows dates back to pearl diving in the Gulf, a major industry for coastal communities until the mid-20th century, when manufactured pearls made their way into international markets.
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