Crocodile Canoe Prows from Papua New Guinea

The island of New Guinea is extremely rugged. Even today there are few roads. Dugout canoes are the main transportation along the long inland rivers such as the Sepik, the Fly and their tributaries, as well as in the extensive lagoons and swampy regions such as the Asmat. Out-rigger canoes sail along the coast and between the outer islands.

A man will travel a long way up river to buy a large log. The log is towed back to the village, lifted onto the bank and roughed out with an adz. Fire is used to help burn out the interior and seal the surface against insects. The prow is shaped according to the tradition of the area, sometimes additional designs are carved on the sides, and it may be painted with natural pigments or store house paint. For use with an outboard, a separate plank is tightly fitted into the back as a transom and caulked with clay. An ordinary canoe lasts around 5 to 7 years. One from better wood lasts 10 to 12. When canoes rot, many of the prows are cut off and saved for the artifact buyers.

The villagers cut or widen narrow channels to provide better access. In the dry season, only small canoes may make it up these barets that wind back to villages deep in the vast heart of the Sepik flood plain. In the wet season, when the water comes up under the floors of the stilt houses and a canoe is the only way to travel even between houses, remote villages become more accessible. It's easier to paddle than to walk, especially if you are carrying something. Women generally sit and paddle, men stand and pole.

The war canoes of the men have canoe shields on the front, a row of standing men in full body paint, spears ready and long paddles with feathers flying from the shafts. They chant and shout in unison as they pole the long dugouts towards their enemies. These days, war canoes are mostly for celebrations such as Independence Day or paid performances for the tourists or visiting TV special crews.