STRUCTURE OF A CANOE 85 



The after end is ^shaped so that the stern post 

 (" Ekiwenda ") can be fitted to it, and, similarly, a stem 

 post is fitted near to tJie forward end of the hollowed-out 

 keel, of which the extreme anterior pointed end has been 

 left solid, to project beyond the stem post. 



These stem and stern posts are inclined forward and 

 aft at half a right angle, and are fastened at the bottom 

 to the keel, whose hollow is shaped to embrace them 

 slightly by palm fibre passed through holes (" Endagire ") 

 bored with a hot iron. The next step is the fitting of the 

 lower side planks (" Amabasi "), one on each side, stretching 

 from stem post to stern post, and secured to them and the 

 keel by palm fibre {" Ensinga "). These planks are made 

 from wood different from that chosen for the keel ; the 

 latter has to be rigid, but a measure of pliability is required 

 for the planks. The upper edge of the lower plank is 

 neatly bevelled off to fit the lower edge of the upper plank 

 (" Olwero "). This, again of a different wood, for it has 

 to stand exjjosure to hot sun in between occasional wetting 

 by waves without cracking, is made of three pieces, for 

 it has to take a considerable curve. The main piece runs 

 along the greater length of the canoe, but a small length 

 (" Eryungo ") is required at bow and stern to take the 

 curvature from the end of the main piece to stem or stern 

 post. Where these pieces overlap they are neatly fined 

 down so that the thickness of the two is no greater than 

 the thickness of a single piece. At the extreme ends, 

 bow and stern, the pieces of opposite sides are firmly 

 pulled together by stout lashings passing across and across 

 the interior of the canoe. The lines of junction 

 (" Entabiro ") between upper and lower side planks, 

 and lower planks and keel, are covered by laths of wood 

 cut by spHtting sticks longitudinally ; a strip (" Olu- 

 wamba ") is laid with flat surface next the junction, 

 and lashings of " Ensinga " pass through the planks on 

 each side of It, and over its rounded surface. 



