ORUWA dugout outrigger

[aukepalmhof]

Two stamps from Ceylon show us the “oruwa” sometimes named “catamaran” and one from Benin.

The oruwa has been around in Sri Lanka for thousands of years. It plays an important role in the lives of those who live near the sea, rivers and other water bodies. These sailing vessels have many purposes, such as being used for fishing, crossing rivers, and lakes, and transporting cargo.
Oruwa is made of dugout wood such as jak, breadfruit, wild mango, and teak trees. Interestingly, nails or iron are not used in the traditional oruwa. Instead, the different parts are held together with choir rope. This process is called "stitching". Some oruwa have sails and these sails are typically made from cotton and held up by bamboo poles, while the vessels are designed to travel in both directions. The narrow hull is a feature that helps it move with speed. There are several different types of oruwa in Sri Lanka. Each one has a specific purpose.
The simplest boat with a dugout hull and an outrigger are the Pila Oruwa. Used for rod fishing, laying nets, and setting traps in the water, these boats are mostly seen in lagoons, lakes, and rivers with still waters.
Oruwa is the Sinhala word for boat or canoe, she is mentioned under different names in Sri Lanka.

The name Oruwa frequently describes a very narrow single outrigger canoe of western and southern Sri Lanka that engages in several types of fishing; going as far as 40km from shore. Dugout base to which a vertical or tumblehome wash strake, ca. 38cm deep is sewn to each side; replaced by fiberglass hulls. Washstrake extends beyond the dugout and continues the raking line of the ends for ca 61cm; closed at the ends; bow slightly fuller than the stern; gunwales beaded with shells (as seen on Benin stamp). Since the opening at the top is only 27-38cm wide, the paddlers may sit on a bamboo platform outboard with just one leg inside the boat.
Strengthened by stout battens towards the ends and by rods that serve as thwarts and as a tack for the sail. Two down-curving flexible booms connect directly with the cigar-shaped float, which is about half the length of the boat; one boom set toward the bow, the other roughly amidships and on the outer end, a raised piece serves as a foothold for 1 – 2 men who may ride the boom as ballast. Also has 2-3 leeboards. Waterproofed with a black gum; protective coating of coconut oil applied weekly.
Steered by foot with a heavy oar that may pass through a hole in the gunwale.
Sets a square sail to a single mast stepped amidships or a rectangular sail supported at the top corners by two light masts; one forward of the sail. The other aft; one mast fitted in a thick ring of coir while the other steps into a wooden shoe. The outrigger remains on the same side and the V-mast has twisted around, the backstay shifted, and the sail moved to the other side of the mast when sailing in the opposite direction. Sails are usually tanned.
Rowed when the wind fails.
The crew of 4 -8.

Reported lengths 4.6 – 5.9m.

See also:viewtopic.php?p=14180&hilit=oruwa#p14180

Source: Internet and Aak to Zumbra a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.
Ceylon 1954 50c sg 426, scott?. 1958 50c sg459. Scott?.
Benin 1999 135F sg 1779, scott?

[Anatol]

See also viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12951