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INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY PUBLICATION NO. 6 



single piece of fir, lashed to a 2-m. handle of 

 oak oi- tejocote (fig. 28, c). This handle is pass- 

 ed through a rope loop which passes around the 

 forward branch of the oarlock, and is of a snug- 

 ness to allow the necessary motion in rowing, 

 but not sufficient to allow the oar easily to slip 

 out into the water (fig. 28, e, /). The first oars- 

 man sits on the very prow itself, while the second 

 and third, if provision is made for a third, sit 

 on temporary wood thwarts. Strokes are short 

 and choppy, the oarsman beginning the stroke 

 with the blade in the water about opposite him 



of energy to make a very moderate speed. On 

 windy days the Tarascans like to have their sail- 

 ing over by noon, for in the afternoon high 

 waves which may threaten the boat are common. 

 Nevertheless, drownings are infrequent, since 

 most adult Tarascans can swim, and occur prin- 

 cipally when the crew is returning in a drunken 

 state — unfortunately not uncommon — from 

 market in Patzcuaro or Erongaricuaro. 



The small ichdruta canoe has a length of from 

 .3 to 8 imras. and is much narrower Vv^ith lower 

 freeboard. Bow and stern both overhang, and 



Figure 2G. — Canoe types and details, a. Cross section of tepari canoe, b. Oarlock detail, c. Oar blade. 

 d. Ichdruta canoe, e, /, Method of fastening oar to oarlock. 



and then drawing back. Normally he does not 

 lean well forward to bring the blade to a 

 position behind him and thus gain a longer, 

 more efficient stroke. The right hand grasps 

 the top of the oar, and the left hand the bot- 

 tom. Normally only the 14 varas canoes, which 

 hold up to 25 persons, carry three oarsmen. 

 Smaller craft make provision for two, or only 

 one. Paddles are of pine, differing from the 

 oars in that the 2-m. handle is carved from the 

 same wood as the blade. At least one paddler is 

 needed at the rear starboard position. Any num- 

 ber up to seven or eight, squatting or sitting in 

 the canoe, may help. 



These canoes appear unwieldy and unstable, 

 and would seem to require a tremendous amount 



the flat bottom tapers to a point at gunwale level 

 of the former. Being of light weight it can 

 be managed easily by one paddler, man or wo- 

 man, who sits in the middle and paddles from 

 either side which wind and wave conditions dic- 

 tate (fig. 28, d). Several individuals may also 

 travel at the same time in this boat. It is never 

 equipped with oars. 



Data on canoe prices vary considerably; $100 

 for the smallest ichdruta up to .51,000 for die 

 largest tepari seems to be the range. Inform- 

 ants' statements as to canoe life also differ 

 greatly. Some say a maximum of 3 years, 

 which seems a very short period, and others say 

 up to 10 years, which seems more probable. In- 

 dividual qualities of the wood, use, and care 



