Jangada

Jangadas are primitive, ocean-going sailing rafts that are used on the coast of Northeast Brazil, especially in the state of Ceará to fish.

The float

Until about 15 to 20 years, " Jangada de Pau do Pará " from stems or bars was still in common use - made ​​from the balsa wood, which comes from the state of Pará.

In the original form of the Jangada consists of six about 5-7 m long light wooden bars that are to hew with an ax so that they can be in a slightly curved and from back to front easy to put together tapering platform. The mean ( " Meios ") and the adjacent thereto ( " mimburas " ) planks are most adapted to the outer ( Bordos " ) that make up the financial statements are executed slimmer and lighter. They are interconnected by cables and hardwood wedges swell in the water and keep as good as screws. According to tradition, were allowed the construction of a Jangada be used no metal screws, otherwise the vehicle was destined to sink.

Jangada model Nena side view

Jangada model details

Jangada model rear view

For the storage of food and fishing equipment and the prey baskets and nets are used, which are hung on a pole on the rear portion of the raft. Immediately afterwards there is also a second goat as a kind of table and support to rest.

In the front third and centrally located a mast and a buck is with a hole that hold the removable mast. On the rear third of a bracket is mounted on the, are firmly moored all equipment of the raft, such as ropes, paddles, anchor, fish basket and personal items of the fishermen. On the rear part is the fixed recessed bank of the helmsman, who is the captain Jangada simultaneously.

The sails, rigging and control

The triangular curved sail connected at its luff by lacing firmly to the mast and can be rolled up and taken out together with the mast. The comparatively long sail is stretched out on a loop at the clew with a tree. The tree has a fork with which he above the bracket bears against the mast.

The upper end slightly curved mast is rarely vertical, depending on the location of the course and the wind it is plugged into different holes of the mast foot and keeps the sail in the most favorable position to the wind. With the feathering so the direction is set.

Add freed column at the rear between the centermost base and the two adjacent tribes wide paddles are plugged in, which have the function of Kiel swords about and reduce the lateral drift.

More modern construction

Nowadays, the traditional " Jangada de Pau " has been almost everywhere replaced by the more modern and especially longer-lived " Jangada de Tábua " (the " Board Jangada " ):

Instead of using strains of the hull with planed planks and as dense hollow bodies are produced with about the same dimensions as the ordinary rafts. This offers the advantage that the captured fish can be stored better protected inside the hollow body. Even this rather boat-like lifting body but awash on the journey from higher waves.

The team

The former " Jangadeiros " stood barefoot on the trunks and protected to the multi-day (!) Fishing trips to wind, salt water and burning sun with typical brown-red jacket and pants and wide-brimmed white hats. Fishing was from about three to five man team scoring with hand lines and hooks. At night they tied tightly to the mast to avoid being swept away by a wave.

The Jangada - captain, " Mestre de Jangada ", controls the raft with a huge tail rudder and determines where stopped at sea, because he has the most experience, where the schools of fish are. The " Proeiro " is the one in a team of three Jangada who knows best to deal with mast and sail, and the " Bico de Proa " is his assistant, who is he in all ancillary works at hand.

With these original rafts, the Jangadeiros venture up to 120 km away from the coast of the sea, where they harpoon sharks and sea turtles and catch fish.