Tatara

The Tatara is a skiff, the traditional boat of the Tao ethnic group of the island of Langy, off Taiwan. The hull is built from planks, assembled with wooden dowels. Plant ties and a central transverse section reinforce the structure. It is made waterproof by a vegetal fibre: the kapok. Dating from 1970 it is richly decorated. The feather ornaments are added during ceremonies. The circles carved on either side of the bow and stern are the eyes of the boat. The little figure repeated on the hull represents the legendary hero Magomaog, who taught the Yamei boat building.