Followers

Monday, August 29, 2011

Mellow yellow dugouts, log buildings

A Scandinavian influence (right) can readily be seen in these boats I visited in Russia, near Kuzino, where the Viking Surkov docked so my husband and other passengers could tour the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery nearby.
Below, bottom right corner of first large photo, the world's oldest boat type, a Finno-Ugric one-tree log boat, known as a dugout canoe in English, a dolbljonka in Russian and haabjas in Estonian.

Boat-oriented hunter-fisher-gatherers traveled Europe's water regions as long ago as 10,000 BC.

While the largest logs were used for dugout canoes, Finno-Ugric houses and fortifications (see above) were made of logs, a technology Europeans took with them to North America after the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
The exact origin of log homes and their construction is unknown. They may have first been built more than 5,000 years ago during the Bronze Age in northern Europe.


Here, the Viking Surkov is seen next to the display of plain dugout canoes and decorated outrigger canoes (wheels were added in modern times to aid in moving the display).

and the first week of the new meme
Our World Tuesday
hosted by Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy
in memory of Klaus, the originator of My World Tuesday.
*
Posted after our two-week holiday in Russia with Viking River Cruises.

21 comments:

Jeannette StG said...

Love the decorated boats! Another time I'll browse to see if you have more posted about your trip:)

S K Ditta said...

Amazing workmanship on those dugout canoes. Definitely a heritage and an art to treasure.

Cildemer said...

Wow! Those are beautiful! Great work carving those boats!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics;o)

***
Have a nice and happy week****

Chubskulit Rose said...

Wow those are very neat!

Ebie said...

Wow!, What an experience! I love the intricacies of the carvings and etchings. It would be fun to watch if all these when finished would race along the river!

P.S. I have not read the book, but I am next in line to read it. It I was not in a hurry to pick up pizza for dinner, I would have seen it again!

Carver said...

The dugouts are fantastic. It's amazing the artistry that goes into them.

Kerry said...

Beautiful wooden boats with a unique look...not like the Vikings, but related. Dugout logs have made amazing boats all around the globe, haven't they?

I came here from Friko, where you made a very good comment.

Indrani said...

Great designs on the boats, so much of art.

magiceye said...

this is so interesting!

Anonymous said...

These boats are truly gorgeous!

Sylvia K said...

Amazing workmanship indeed and what a great look at Your World, Kay! I'm so happy you are joining us on Our World! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Joyful said...

I love all the wonderful woodwork!

kaykuala said...

These dugouts are just poetry. In fact in all instances each is based on a motif that relates to some myths or folklore of that country. It would be a cultural journey sort of if a study is done on its origins. Thank you for sharing

Hank

Mara said...

Those boats look really colourful. I wonder if they would have been that colourful back in the day! The dragonheads look quite fierce though.

Arija said...

Certainly a different post and so instructive . Something most of us would not get a chance to see.
A perfect post for Our World.

I do hope you will show us more of your travels.

Jackie said...

What an interesting holiday that must have been. The boats are beautiful, I love the carved prow of that first one.

Becky said...

Those are very cool! Lovely blog!

Kim, USA said...

Wow these boats are intricately designed. And to think that this size could travel far. Great info!

Shades of Yellow

Gattina said...

I would like to sit in such a boat, they are real beautiful ! artwork I would say !

eileeninmd said...

They are beautiful boats, lots of hard work and love went into buildign them I'm sure. Thanks for sharing.

Jessica said...

what a great art :-), nice pictures too, visiting from MYM, hope you can visit me here too
http://www.mommies2ks.com/2011/08/mellow-monday-1-the-little-entrepreneur.html

Have a wonderful weekend,
Jessica