A traditional sailing vessel used in the Indian Ocean, particularly by fishers from India and the Maldives, with a distinctive deep hull and often featuring colorful decorations.
From Hindi-Urdu 'dhoni' or 'dhoney,' a word with roots in South Asian maritime culture. The term refers to a specific boat design adapted to tropical waters and monsoon conditions.
Dhonis have been sailing the Indian Ocean for centuries, and their design is so effective that modern fisheries still use them—they're seaworthy proof that old maritime technology sometimes beats new engineering!
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