The blade of paddle used by women had carved patterns.<BR> These decorations are labelled as homo, a term that can be translated as ‘’writing’’ and refers both to sculpting and painting. In addition to aesthetically enhancing artefacts, homo give information about the person, family, and village who owned the object. Specific designs were used by particular groups of peoplea nd passed on from one generation to another. Each family or clan had its own designs that were kept. In addition, political alliances between villages were visualised by the use of specific designs. Designs and ornaments have mythological origins. This is suggested by local narratives in which decorations often figure in relation to spirits and ancestors. The clans used to hold control over the reproduction of the animal’s images. <BR> The men's boat had no decoration because they should '' slide through the water like a sword''<BR> Women's boats were called kayi. They were long, heavy dugout canoe. The larger one could carried some ten to fifteen women. They were used for fishing and for access to the gardens and sago swamps. Unlike the men's boat had carved ornamentation applied to the platform likea prow.<BR> <BR> Vervaardiging<BR> Houtsnijwerk. De peddel is uit één stuk gesneden. De figuren zijn met een mesje in laagreliëf uitgesneden, daarna zwart geverfd. De ruimten ertussen zijn gekleurd en soms opgevuld met een kleiachtige substantie, die met een kleurstof is vermengd om een roodbruine tint te verkrijgen. Waarschijnlijk is een minerale of plantaardige verfstof gebruikt.