A look at how Qataris keep their seafaring roots alive

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.