In Erromango I was delighted with the large number of beautifully made outrigger canoes. Children came to welcome us when we anchored but there was no pestering or any request for gifts. Every household had a canoe and they were in constant use, out fishing with lines, or laying out seine nets.
Canoes are made from the large white-trunked trees seen throughout the forested hillsides. They are soft wood easily worked, and these days the slot is cut with a chainsaw before traditional adzes are used.. I was pleased to find that the outriggers are supported with grown "knees" using plants with an appropriately angled root. The canoes are generally painted to preserve them, but we saw lovely new ones in fresh wood. Paint is something people would appreciate as a gift here..
No comments:
Post a Comment