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Built in the Lamu Archipelago from at least the 13th until the early 20th century to transport firewood, mangrove poles, cattle, and produce, mainly to Zanzibar. Most prominent feature was its projecting stemhead, which has variously called the head of a camel or a bird. Sharp ends;built up on a relatively short, straight keel; stem and sternpost scarfed to the keel. The planks (12 to each side) vertically pegged edge-to-edge; initially sewn over a fiber caulking placed inside, then pegged horizontally on each side of the lashings; pegs and lashings are cut smooth on the outside. Following completion of the hull, frames, stem, and sternpost lashed on; some thwarts double, with the lower thwart resting on the 10th strake and the upper thwart on the wale strake; these were secured together with lan¬yards. Short deck at bow and stem; shelter aft covered with palm fronds and sticks. Stem and sternpost strongly raked; bow decorated with flags, a coir tassel, and a charm. Large, carved and painted rudder sus¬pended by rope grommets from an equally decorated sternpost. Tiller slotted over wide rudderhead; tassel also hung from rudder. Pairs of stylized oculi at bow and stem. Boat characteristically painted in red, white, and black. A single pole mast stepped a little forward of amidships, supported by a forestay, 2 backstays, and 1-2 shrouds and by an upper and lower thwart.Mast vertical or raked forward. One to 3 white pen¬nants flew from the masthead. A large mat sail, hung with upper and lower yards and held out with 2 bow¬lines to the prow, was hoisted by means of a halyard and 2 lateral tackles. Also rowed and poled. Crew of 13-20. Average length 18.2m, beam 5.5m, hold depth 2m.

Kenya 1986;3s;SG395.
Source : A Dictionary of the world’s Watercraft from Aak to Zumbra.