Pirogue with outrigger
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This pirogue with outriggers of the river Sepik in New Guinea, dates from
the 1960s. It consists of two parts: a monoxyl hull (made from a tree
trunk) and an outrigger, which acts as counterweight, and balancing float.
Standing up one moves forward with the current of the river. The carved
ornaments represent the head of a bird, humanlike forms and the mouths
of crocodiles. Both hunted and worshipped, the crocodile is a tutelary
deity for the river people of Sepik.
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