SAMPAN TANKA

[aukepalmhof]

The “sampan tanka” you can find in China/Hongkong/Macau.
General-purpose harbour boat worked by Tanka boat people, especially to transport passengers from off-lying vessels.
Vary somewhat with the locale, but generally a shallow oval craft with a spoon-shaped bottom. Decked, at least at the bow and stern; 1-2 arched mat and bamboo houses; family lives aboard; separate area for passengers.
Rowed and sculled principally by the women of the family; a single oar, attached by a grommet to a tholepin, used at the bow; a long sculling oar, on a pivot, at the stern. Some employ a rudder with the tiller worked by the sculler’s foot.
Reported lengths 2.4 – 10m.

Macau 1951 1p sg447, scott?

From: Aak to Zumbra, a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.

[aukepalmhof]

On 1 March 1989 Macau issued four stamps featuring typical jobs of the Macau people. The 1p stamp shows a watercraft and depicts the “tan-kia“ woman steering a “sampan Tanka” which was used as a means of transporting passenger’s and carrying packages, utensils, and tools. The “sampan tanka” was steered with great skill by two women. They balanced neatly at the rhythm of the wave, without stumble or difficulty, one astern and the other at the bow. Among the many “sampan tanka” women there were those who served the Portuguese war vessels. Practically every sailor had his personal ‘tan-kia” woman, who transported him ashore and back, who washed his clothes, sewed on his buttons, and performed other tasks. The “tan-kia” women have vanished from the inner Harbor of Macau, having been replaced by motorized vessels.

Source: Watercraft Philately Nov/Dec 1989 page 41. Correios e Telecomunicacoes de Macau No 39.
Macau 1989 1p sg ¿, scott585.