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Tankwas (2009) - FAQ

Frequently asked questions about this film.

What is Tankwas about?

Tankwas is a documentary. 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.

When was Tankwas released?

Tankwas was released in 2009.

How long is Tankwas?

Tankwas has a runtime of 51 minutes.

What genre is Tankwas?

Tankwas is classified as Culture.