IDNO

N.129731.HNL

Description

View of a man pulls a double outrigger dugout canoe ashore in Mutsamudu, Comoros. The canoe is filled with driftwood. [FC 03/02/2016]

Place

E Africa; Indian Ocean; Comoros Islands; Mutsamudu

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Hornell, James

Collector / Expedition

Hornell, James [?visit to Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Aldabra and Seychelles [1926]

Date

?1926

Collection Name

Hornell Collection

Source

Hornell, Charlotte (Mrs)

Format

Film Negative Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.129703.HNL - P.129945.HNL were found unaccessioned in Drawer C.44.21 of the Photo Store, in a cardboard box, now numbered C703/.

Context: James Hornell mentions in "The Common Origin of the Outrigger Canoes of Madagascar and East Africa." (Sept., 1920) Man Vol 20; that in the Comoro Islands there is a strong Arab influence as seen with the Arab lateen sail which has largely replaced the double sprit (136). Hornell also found from M. Barbier (private secretary to H.E. the Governor of French India) that, "... nearly all the outrigger canoes used in the Comoro Islands have a single boom, and although double ones exist, they are quite the exception. The peg stanchions are placed usually at right angles to the boom as in the Madagascar varieties. The large canoes have thwarts and the fore part is decked; the mast is fixed well forward, carrying a lateen sail, The small canoes also carry mast and sail in some instances; the fore end is sharply curved; they are from 60 to 70 centimetres deep, with a 'width generally just sufficient to admit a man squatting down." (137)