Project status
Past
Lead organisation
Safina Projects
Partners
Ministry of Water Resources - Centre for Restoration of Iraq's Marshes and Wetlands (CRIMW); Ministry of Culture - Basra Museum; the Natural History Museum of Basra; Dhi Qar University; Basrah University and Humat Dijlah.
Grant award
£108,196
Project summary
The Marshlands of Southern Iraq have been impacted by progressive draining. Conflict has further threatened Iraq’s watercraft heritage.
The project documented different boat types, including the construction of the Guffa coracle; Meshouf canoe types: Tarada, Matour, and Houri; and three basketry boat types.
The project facilitated boatbuilding workshops in Hilla, Huwair and Hit, to engage diverse communities in different locations. Boat reconstructions were also documented through oral history interviews with experienced makers.
