Excavating Indonesian Cultural Artefacts And Rejuvenating Cultural Heritage Boatbuilding In North Sulawesi: A Case Study About An Endangered Tradition

Abstract

North Sulawesi is a meeting point between Indonesian and Philippines boatbuilding traditions. Every city and every district has adopted its solutions in the mix between the two traditions. Looking just at the outrigger boats used for fishing, called "pambot" (that will be more accurately described in paragraph 7) in Manado, Bitung or Talaud, the author was able to distinguish three different hull shapes and building solutions for the same kind of boat. The socioeconomic situation is changing in North Sulawesi, so are the maritime traditions. The fiberglass is perceived as a cheaper substitute to the wood; the fishing techniques are nowadays more oriented on large scale offshore fisheries. Those factors are causing a progressive disappearing of traditional small fishing boats. This chapter examines the traditional boatbuilding in North Sulawesi. Its aim is to determine the potential of the traditional construction that is still alive in the area, its developments through the years, and to put a starting point to elaborate strategies for its future preservation. The fieldwork took three months. Research activities focused on Manado, Tanahwangko, Bitung, and Talaud islands, where the local boats were photo and video documented. The construction techniques used for the wooden ships and boats were recorded, fishing sessions with local fishers were taken and boatbuilders, fishers, and all those who have some link with the traditional construction were interviewed. It has to be said that North Sulawesi still has potential in terms of wooden boatbuilding. Yet this potential is mainly unveiled and underestimated. This chapter also tries to give some recognition to the boats, and to the people building and using them, struggling to keep alive the traditional technologies and traditional fishing techniques.