Canoes of Borneo

In his work on the natives of Sarawak and British North Borneo, H. Ling Roth gives some information about native boats. A carved figurehead of a Kayan war-canoe, partially perforated, shows the double scroll seen on the prow of the Maori war-canoe. A Dyak war prau shows a very lofty and ornate stern-piece, also a fighting-stage extending nearly the whole length of the vessel. These folk are said to usually paddle their craft about six miles an hour, but when exerting themselves can double that speed. A carved paddle depicted is of Maori form; two plain ones have blades of square form, and look clumsy with cross-pieces on the handle-ends. A Dyak dugout has a top-strake attached, also the Maori mode of bracing or strengthening by means of lashed-on thwarts instead of knees. The top-strake seems to be fixed clinker-fashion. Modes of building up page 376sides, securing planks, steering, &c, differ considerably in Borneo, owing doubtless to race-mixture and foreign influences. Awnings or shelter roofs are often used. Some craft have elevated prow and stern, some show carved work on figurehead or stern-piece. Kayan canoes are seen as much as 38 yards in length and 7 ft. in beam; such a craft accommodates about a hundred paddlers, who sit two abreast On the rivers a considerable amount of poling is done, the natives being remarkably expert with the pole.