At the dry fish hub of Nazirartek in Cox’s Bazar, the iconic wooden ‘Behi’ boats are drawing attention as they undergo annual repairs. These traditional boats, vital to the livelihoods of local fishermen, have been brought ashore and lined up along a small canal where repair work is in full swing. Hammers clatter, ropes are tied, and tar is carefully applied to wooden planks—each movement a testament to the enduring tradition passed down through generations. Fishermen say they take a seasonal break from fishing to focus on repairing these boats. Crafted using robust timber, jute ropes, and locally sourced materials, the Behi boats are still built following age-old methods inherited from their ancestors.
Photo: Polash Shikdar/Cox’s Bazar Life
