dhow

dhow
The dhow is the traditional Arab sailing vessel indigenous to the coasts of the Arabian peninsula, India and East Africa. Dhow captains are experts in using the wind and the monsoon to traverse extensive distances for thousands of years, dating back to the Mesopotamian empire. The efficient triangular sail is called a lateen and the traditional navigating device is the kamal which determines latitude from the the height of the Pole Star above the horizon.
Originally uploaded by Farl.