On an Abra (water taxi) being rowed across Dubai Creek in 1963. One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -
On an Abra (water taxi) being rowed across Dubai Creek in 1963. One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -
On an Abra (water taxi) being rowed across Dubai Creek in 1963. One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -
On an Abra (water taxi) being rowed across Dubai Creek in 1963. One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -

Timeframe: rowing across Dubai Creek

This photograph from 1963 when Dubai was part of the Trucial States shows a captain of one of the traditional water taxis

John Dennehy
John Dennehy

October 21, 2017

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  • Arabic

A jump from the jetty onto a rickety seat, the sounds of the water and we are off across Dubai Creek.

Taking an abra has been the traditional way of crossing Dubai Creek for a great many years.

This photograph from 1963, when Dubai was part of the Trucial States, shows a captain of one of these traditional wooden water taxis at work.

Then, they had to row across the busy waters, using large wooden oars, in often hot and humid conditions.

Eagle-eyed viewers should also be able to spot some of the old wind towers on the right and other abras with their awnings in the background.

Today, the abras have engines, but the journey is not that much different from those taken 54 years ago, and commuters are offered an insight into how life has operated on the Creek for centuries.

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