Lamu Hosts Inter-Island Dhow Polo Tournament in Indian Ocean

by KenyaPolls

Lamu Archipelago hosted the first Dhow Polo Championship on July 20, 2025—a fusion of traditional sailing and polo, with teams playing from moving *jahazi* dhows using long-handled mallets and a cork ball. Eight teams from Lamu, Pate, and Manda competed over 3 days, judged on seamanship, accuracy, and sportsmanship. Winners: * Bahari Mazuri * (Beautiful Ocean), skippered by 65-year-old Fatuma Ali. Funded by Aga Khan Development Network, the event revived ship-handling skills and boosted homestay tourism. Polo isn’t just grass and horses—it’s wind and waves, said organizer Salim Rajab. UNESCO documented it for cultural safeguarding. The tournament is now annual.

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