A competitor displays the fish he caught in a line-fishing competition aboard a wooden dhow during the Senyar festival off the coast of Sealine beach, south of Doha. 54 teams gathered to catch fish using simple handheld fishing lines, living for days at a time aboard dhows, the wooden boats that criss-crossed the Gulf waters around Qatar for centuries.
A look at how Qataris keep their seafaring roots alive
Competitors spend several days at sea, vying for prizes based on the size and quality
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Participants pose while riding aboard a traditional dhow boat cruising in the Gulf waters during the handline fishing competition of the Senyar Festival off of Sealine south of Doha.
AFP
In Doha, the 11th Senyar Festival celebrates Qatar's seafaring and fishing heritage, with 54 teams participating in a traditional line-fishing competition aboard wooden dhow boats.
Competitors spend several days at sea, vying for prizes based on the size, quality, and variety of fish caught, with prized species like hamour and kingfish earning the most points.
The festival, held at Katara Cultural Village, draws enthusiastic participants like naval officer Mohammed al-Hail and operations director Yousuf al-Mutawa, who seek to preserve Qatar's fishing traditions rooted in its pre-oil economy. The event also draws families and spectators, highlighting a deep cultural connection to the sea.
Competitors prepare their lines as they participate in a line-fishing competition aboard a wooden dhow during the Senyar festival off the coast of Sealine beach, south of Doha.
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