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Vaka

human history
  • Other Name

    Model canoe (English)

  • Description

    Vaka. Canoe. This is a model vaka. It has been made from two different types of wood material, one that is dark brown in colour and one that is light brown in colour. It appears the hama (outrigger) has become dismantled over time. The hama is of a light brown in colour, cylindrical in form, curved in shape with a pointed end and a circular cross-section at the other end. The main body of the vaka is composed of two pieces. A tino vaka (hull) forms the base of the vaka.

    Its exterior is smooth and matte in texture, its interior portrays hafted markings. On top of this, a component that portrays both puke (stern and bow) and oa (both port and starboard) has been lashed to the tino vaka. Perforations made along the edges of both components have been made for the purpose of inserting pulu (cordage of coconut sennit fibres) for lashing both components together to form the vaka. The puke and oa component contrast that of the tino vaka as it features a surface decoration of carved triangular lines that repeat themselves. Several fua pule (cowrie shells) have been threaded onto the pulu used for assembling the components together to decorate the sides of the vaka. The oa areas have been finished with a serrated edge and feature three remnants of tautoko (crossbooms) that may have once been attached to the hama. Two metal hooks and chain have been inserted and connected to the puke areas.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    1968.213
  • Accession Date
    1968
  • Other Id

    39478 (ethnology)

  • Department
Vaka, 1968.213, 39478, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital,… … Read more

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