Iraqi artist Rashad Salim is working to save the country's traditional boating culture, which is under threat due to droughts linked to climate change. Salim, co-founder of Safina Projects, has located Iraq's last meshhouf makers and helped to create teams to teach young people how to navigate the traditional boats. The meshhouf, an elongated wooden boat with tapered bows and sterns, has been around "since the time of the Sumerians". Salim has set up seven meshhouf clubs, with funding from Britain and the Aliph Foundation. He is also working to revive Iraq's traditional round boat made of woven reeds, the guffa.
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