Basrais build miniature boats

According to Aria Heritage, Ibrahim Taha, a Basra boat artist, has been building wooden boats for fishing in recent years, as well as transporting goods and passengers. The Iraqi artist is one of hundreds of Basra boatmen who made a living this way until a few years ago.

Unfortunately, in recent years the demand for these traditional wooden boats has dropped dramatically.

“There is little demand for big boats these days,” said Ibrahim Taha’s son. I will tell you the reasons. Since the number of fishermen in the area is much lower than before, no one buys a new boat. Large transport boats previously built by us were distributed throughout Iraq. These boats transported people from Basra to Baghdad and Emara. Fishing boats have virtually disappeared because they are no longer used much. Secondly, the price of wood has gone up and the prices have become unbelievable. “So our production has decreased and customers are not looking to buy these boats.”

After these events, Taha decided to make miniature models of these boats in order to preserve his cultural heritage. He was later able to sell some of these miniature boats to museums and individuals.

“To protect our heritage, the heritage of Abu al-Khasib, Basra and Iraq, we started producing miniature boats, because we love our heritage, and unlike large, functional boats, these beautiful small boats have more customers and applicants,” says Taha. »

* Translation: Assadollah Haqqani