Splashboard (Lagim)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-splashboards
Culture
Massim
Date20th Century
Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and paint
Dimensions32 × 18 1/2 × 2 1/4 in. (81.3 × 47 × 5.7 cm)
Credit LineCollected on behalf of the Bowers Museum by the Roski-Keller-Martin Expedition
Object number2014.12.9
DescriptionSplashboards are an important part of the canoes used for kula trade voyages. Each canoe has two splashboards, one on the bow and one on the stern, which hold up the sideboards, increase the depth of the hull and keep the ocean water from splashing the people traveling in the canoe. Additionally, these canoes are believed to be magical in that they have properties that increase the owner’s personal beauty. This enables the owner to be a more effective and convincing trade partner. Traditionally, splashboards were painted red, black and white.On View
Not on viewCollections
mid 20th Century
