Jonson
Date1995
Object number00030145
NameModel
MediumWood, twine, bamboo, metal
DimensionsOverall: 140 x 830 x 195 mm, 1 kg
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis boat model represents a 'Jonson' eight-man fishing and transport boat that was unsuccessfully introduced to the whaling village of Lamalera, in eastern Indonesia.HistoryThe coastal village of Lamalera, Lembata is situated in eastern Indonesia. The community is a traditional whale hunting society as the island offers little soil for crop cultivation. The community still uses traditional fishing vessels that were active on the island over 1000 years ago.
Two outboard engine powered boats were given to the people of Lamalara in 1973 and 1974 by a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Project in an attempt to modernise their fishing industry. The vessels incorporated explosive harpoons in favour of traditional manual whale hunting methods.
However the effort was largely unsuccessful as the community was unwilling to abandon their traditional techniques. Also, there was no harbour facility and the village was too remote to collect fuel easily. One of the boats remains in service but is used as a method of transporting people and general cargo.
This type of boat was intended to be used to hunt giant Manta Rays and Dolphins. The model comprises 11 planks laid across a hull bottom with four oars and a harpoon. It was named a 'Jonson' after the Johnson outboard engine it carried.SignificanceThis ship model is an interesting example of a boat that was introduced to assist an Indonesian fishing community to modernise, but was not favoured over traditional boat building techniques.
1980s-1990s
