Noor Ali

Boats of Arakan

Woodwork (WDW)

Transport

Zaillor naw means ‘the boat of the fisherfolk’. It is a small boat around 15 feet long, usually made by a single carpenter.

It is mostly used to catch river fish and comes in two types; one that is carved out of a single log, and the other that is made from two pieces of timber joined together. The joined timber variety is more common as it is easier to make.

Zaillor naws sometimes have a small roof made of nipa palm or plastic, to protect the fisherfolk from the sun and the rain. This boat is found in virtually every Rohingya fisherman’s house. It is non-motorised and rowed using a six-foot long fui (oar). Hattal ( Jackfruit), Jarol and Gamari (Gmelina arborea) wood is used to make this boat.