Tankwas
Twelve-meter-long tankwas, built from papyrus reeds, are used to transport cargo and ferry passengers across the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.
Synopsis
Twelve-meter-long tankwas, built from papyrus reeds, are used to transport cargo and ferry passengers across the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.
Synopsis
Lake Tana, located at 1,850 metres above sea level in Ethiopia, is home to the papyrus plant, essential for crafting traditional tankwas, or papyrus boats. Local inhabitants skillfully use the long stems of this plant to construct boats of varying lengths, from 1 metre for children to 12 metres for transporting cargo. These boats serve multiple purposes, including ferrying passengers across the Blue Nile, which flows over 4,000 km to its mouth. The documentary captures the cultural significance and craftsmanship behind this ancient practice.
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