IDNO

P.99802.VH

Description

A Burton Brother’s of Dunedin photograph taken by Alfred Burton in 1884, of a smallish drua canoe on the beach at Naikorokoro, a bit over a mile south of Levuka. In the background is Naikorokoro village, skirted by a neat gasau (Miscanthus floridulus) cane fence with serrated top. The kata or hull of the canoe, which is always kept to leeward in sailing, is to the right, with the mualailai or “small prow” towards the camera. The smaller and lighter cama or outrigger hull is to the left. An iuli or steering oar lies with its handle to the left and its blade projecting out to the right and resting on the vavada - a squared strut running from just behind the prow of the kata hull back to the front right or leeward corner of the deck platform, this strut forming a useful steering aid and also being handy when reversing the tack of the sail from one prow to the other when going about. A three-legged koli or belaying “dog"”is plainly visible on deck above the cama or outrigger hull. Deckhouse detail is obscured by coconut leaf matting, but the platform overlying the deckhouse, with its rail and spear rack, is plainly visible. (The chiefs sat on this platform when sailing in good weather). An inima or bailer scoop is hanging from the far end of the rail. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

Physical Condition: Print mounted onto card.

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Ovalau Island; Near Levuka; Naikorokoro

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Burton, Alfred (Burton Bros., Dunedin)

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

June - July 1884

Collection Name

von Hügel Collection

Source

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.99759.VH to P.99825.VH were in the belted folder now numbered C539/2/. This was formerly kept in paper archive Large Box G; VH1/4/5. It has now been transferred to the photo archive. The lists describing the contents of this box have been returned to the Paper Archive.

Related Image: This print or negative appears to be a unique image within the MAA Photograph Collections. [JD 11/1/2012]

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Fund. [A. Nadin, 9/9/2003]