The Yemeni Dhow: Wooden Ships of the Indian Ocean

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the history of Yemen's dhow-building tradition — the wooden sailing vessels that connected the ports of Aden, Mocha, and Shihr to East Africa, India, and the wider Indian Ocean world for centuries. They trace the origins of the dhow to ancient Sabaean and Himyarite seafaring, discuss the unique construction techniques using coconut fiber stitching and teak from India, and examine the economic and cultural role of dhows in the coffee and frankincense trades. The conversation highlights the decline of wooden shipbuilding in the 20th century due to oil and steel, the lingering presence of dhows in Yemen's coastal communities, and recent revival efforts by Yemeni craftsmen. Listeners will learn about the dhow types — sambuk, boom, baghlah — and the social world of Yemeni sailors, navigators, and merchants who relied on these vessels long before steam power.

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