General term applied to several models of reed boat used on Lake Titicaca and nearby lakes. Vary from 1-man craft composed of 2 cigar-shaped bundles to sturdy 5-bundle balsas; the largest are pro¬duced by the Uru of the Bay of Puno in the north¬western part of the lake. When large loads must be transported, 2 boats may be lashed together with a platform between to form a catamaran* or very long boats are used to provide extra buoyancy. Large bal¬sas may have a mat shelter. The bundles, all of the giant totora sedge, may be 30cm in diameter; bound into shape with braided rope of ichu grass. On some, a thin tubular roll wedged between the 2 large rolls creates a "keel," and a small tube on top of each large roll forms "gunwales." The Uru peoples lash the 2 main bundles to a thinner "keel" and not to each other. Bow and stern designs vary with tribal custom and the number of bundles that make up the boat; some ends blunt, others rake up smartly to a point, some turn up sharply and are then cut off blunt, and still others turn up and recurve slightly. Curvature achieved solely by gradual shaping and lacing. Propelled by double-bladed paddles, a trident-ended pole, or sail. The multipiece mast is usually an invert¬ed "V," with the lower ends resting on the top bundles, secured by lashings, and stayed by another pole; some masts rake sharply forward. The lugsails are of reeds,with top and bottom yards, and may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or hexagonal; the thicker bottom ends of the reeds are aligned to form the leech. Many now use cloth sails. A short oar, tucked under the helmsman's leg, serves as a rudder when sailing. Reported lengths 1.8-8m; e.g., length 5.2m, beam 1.32m, depth 0.66m.
Bolivia 2003; 7Bs; SG?
Uganda 200…; 1000/-,1000/-,1000/-; SG?
Micronezia 200…; 80c; SG?
Source : A Dictionary of the world’s Watercraft from Aak to Zumbra.