Traditional fishing boat were used for war and trade. Some ancient vessels were propelled by either oars or sail, depending on the speed and direction of the wind (see trireme and bireme). The Chinese were using sails around 3000 BC, of a type that can still be seen on traditional fishing boats sailing off the coast of Vietnam in Ha Long Bay. A jangada is an elegant planked fishing boat used in northern Brazil. It has been claimed the jangada dates back to ancient Greek time. It uses a triangular (lateen) sail, which allows it to sail against the wind. A felucca is
Hymn to the Nile almost impossible to grow food in the desert, very few people lived far from the river itself. People that were settled close to the banks of the Nile shared the same language and also worshipped similar gods. The ancient Egyptian peoples believed the river was God himself and he blessed the population with goods and offerings. Within the hymn, the river is described with human-like qualities, which in turn, makes the Nile more relatable to human life. However, the river was more than just given human-like qualities, but more-so God-like characteristics. The hymn specifically states "offerings are made unto you,