Bojakan Canoes: Tradition, Solidarity, and the Identity of the Mentawai People

In Bojakan Village, a canoe is not just a means of transportation. It is an identity, a tradition, and a piece of local wisdom passed down through generations. For Pak Martinus, one of the village elders, building a canoe still follows the footsteps of his ancestors—a combination of craftsmanship, specific timber selection, and cultural rules deeply tied to tradition.

The Timber: Not Just Any Big Tree

A canoe cannot be made from just any tree. The Bojakan people carefully choose timbers known for being water-resistant, durable, and resilient, such as katuka, ataran, kaboi, macemen, garau, and menegan. These large trees are usually found deep in the forest.

Before felling, taboos are strictly observed. For example, canoe owners are forbidden from eating young nibung shoots, as it is believed the wood will crack if the taboo is broken. After cutting, the logger plants a small sapling at the stump as a symbolic replacement for the tree taken.

Tools: From Onggut to Chainsaws

The tools for canoe making have evolved through three periods:

👉First period (ancient times): only onggut (kaonggutan) was used, a hand axe about one handspan long with a 7 cm wide blade, tied to a woven handle.

👉Second period (intermediate): axes were introduced, easier to use and more practical than onggut.

👉Third period (modern): tools such as chainsaws, planers, and drills are now common. However, traditional onggut and axes remain essential for details unreachable by machines.

Solidarity: Sinurung and Balit

Canoe making is never a solitary task. At least five people are involved, including family members and sinurung—those who traditionally help in canoe construction. The owner provides balit, food provisions consisting of pork, chicken, sago, taro, and other local staples.

In the past, one pig could be slaughtered for each day of work if the owner was wealthy. Today, balit is simpler, as the community emphasizes the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) over the size of the feast. Helping each other is seen as an act of solidarity, not merely an exchange of meals.

Duration of Construction

The length of work varies by period and tools used:

👉Traditional era: 9–12 days.

👉Intermediate era: 7–9 days.

👉Modern era: 3–5 days for the rough work in the forest.

Hauling the Canoe from the Forest

Once completed, the next challenge is hauling the canoe to the river or village. This requires 20–30 people due to its immense weight. For this stage, the owner prepares a special balit, separate from the daily meals. The hauling day often feels like a festive event, filled with laughter, teamwork, and celebration.

Manendek (Finishing)

The final stage is manendek (finishing). Traditionally, when only onggut was used, this could take up to three days and required specialized sinurung, along with their own balit. Nowadays, modern tools allow the process to finish in just one or two days. Still, traditional tools remain in use for certain details, keeping the cultural touch alive.

Modern Touch

Over time, modern influences have enriched the tradition. In the past, canoes were left bare, without protective coating. Today, villagers use paint not only to beautify the canoe but also to preserve the timber.

Paint protects the canoe from pests such as barnacles or marine borers that eat into the wood. With this modern addition, canoes last longer in both rivers and seas while also looking more vibrant. The paint represents a subtle but important blend of tradition and adaptation.

Punen, Pasegek, and Mumagri

After finishing, the Bojakan people hold a punen or lia, a thanksgiving celebration for the new canoe. Traditionally, this was a large ritual filled with ceremonies. Afterward, the workers often went on a pasegek (hunting trip) as part of the celebration, ending the entire process with mumagri, a closing ritual signifying completion.

Today, celebrations are simpler. Large feasts are rare, replaced by a Catholic prayer service, reflecting the faith of most villagers. Though forms have changed, gratitude and solidarity remain at the heart of canoe building.

Canoes: More than Transportation

For the Bojakan people, canoes are cultural heritage. In the past, they were used not only for transportation but also for processing sago and, in some cases, as a substitute for coffins. They embody the deep connection between forest, river, culture, and community.

Even now, every household in Bojakan still owns a canoe, unlike neighboring villages with access to land roads. Looking ahead, the hope is that canoe-making skills continue to be passed on to younger generations, so the tradition does not disappear. A canoe is not just carved wood—it is a symbol of identity, craftsmanship, and solidarity of the Mentawai people.

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