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 | | | The ancient art of canoeing
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The history of the canoe stretches back centuries with historians believing the first crew was born from the Stone Age, when men first noticed a stem floating upon a shallow lake. With the development of tools, ancient peoples shaped trees to allow the boat to move swiftly through the water. The “tree boat,” which formed the original canoe shape has been perfected throughout the years. In Vietnam, the canoe was born out of the same tradition as the Đông Sơn bronze drums or the Hà Bắc coffins which have the appearance of dug out canoes made 4000-5000 years ago, the same era as the canoes first built by the Egyptians.
The building of canoes is a meticulous process. First, you must select the wood ensuring it is water-resistant, lighter than water and with a sufficient trunk to support the boat’s length. Next, builders have to use axes to roughly dig out the tree, forming the boat frame. The dexterity and skill of the worker is tested as the boat must have a thin, elegant frame which can also withstand rapids and ocean waves.
Today because of scarcity of raw resources and with the advent of modern machinery, there is little effort put into canoe carving. Modern man must turn through pages of a book or visit a museum to see such crafts again. Yet in the forest city of Madagui, visitors can admire and enjoy the feeling of stepping inside a true dug out canoe. The wooden boats of Madagui date back to over 100 years old and were purchased from a village in the Central Highlands. The management of Madagui spent much time discussing with the elder leaders of the village before they agreed to part from tree boats of such value. One hour in a canoe allows the guest to experience over 100 years of culture and history. Come and experience this ancient treasure at the always welcoming Madagui!
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