Hit boatbuilder preserves traditional craft along the Euphrates

ANBAR — On the banks of the Euphrates River in Hit, veteran boatbuilder Kaen Ghafeer continues practicing a craft he says has been passed down through generations. “Since the 1980s I have worked in this craft and I am still committed to it today,” he told 964media.

Unlike the southern “mashhuf,” traditionally made of wood and suited to the calm waters of Iraq’s southern rivers, Ghafeer’s boats are built with iron sheets to withstand the faster currents common in Anbar. “In the south, the river’s flow is very slow and does not require paddling. Here in Anbar, the water is strong, and paddles are essential,” he said.

A typical five-and-a-half-meter iron boat sells for about 300,000 Iraqi dinars, or $212, while aluminum models reach up to 400,000 dinars, or $283. Demand increases in the summer months with the rise in fishing and river travel, but slows during the winter.

Ghafeer said a standard boat can be completed in two days, while larger motorized versions take up to five. Despite competition from modern boats, he still receives orders from across Anbar, including Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdadi, and Haditha.

Another local artisan, Qusay Khairi, said demand has dropped compared to last year, citing reduced cash flow among buyers. He noted that modern tools have shortened construction time but haven’t replaced traditional craftsmanship.

Most of the iron used in production is imported from Russia and China, while wood for fittings is sourced from nearby orchards, the craftsmen said.

“This is a heritage we learned from our fathers and uncles, and we are passing it to our children,” Ghafeer said.