Swahili Ngalawa Fishing Boats Zanzibar

These fishing-boats are off the north-east coast of Zanzibar.

They are ngalawa - a traditional, double-outrigger canoe of the Swahili people living in Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coast. They are usually c5m long and have two outriggers, a centrally-placed mast (often inclining towards the prow) and a single triangular sail. They are used for transport of goods or people, as well as a coastal-fishing.

A ngalawa hull is constructed from the trunk of a mature mango tree. Having been felled the trunk is partially ‘dug out’ and shaped by hand using an adze. Once the hull begins to take shape, and has become lighter and easier to transport, it is moved to the fishing village closer to coast where the digging out and shaping work is finished. Fire is used to harden the wood and kill off any insects that may still be living and eating away at the new boat.

On the beach behind this shot work was going on hollowing out a new boat in this fashion. When the hull is ready then mast, outriggers, rudder, and rigging are fitted.

Whether the ngalawa originated with the Swahili or the design arrived from somewhere else is not known. It has many similarities to out-riggers in Indonesia. Sea-farers across the Indian Ocean could have shared their craftsmanship and design, with the boat makers of the Swahili Coast.