Lancang (ship)

A lancang (also written lanchang or lancha) is a type of sailing ship from Maritime Southeast Asia. It is used as warship, lighter, and as royal ship, particularly used by the people of Malay Peninsula, Sumatran east coast, but can also be found in the coast of Kalimantan.

Etymology

The name comes from the Malay word ''lancang'' which means "swift".

Design and construction

The earliest mention of the ''lancang'' is from Julah inscription dated 844 Saka (923 AD), which explains the orders of the King Sri Ugrasena on certain rules. The inscription mentions terms for boats such as "lancang", " parahu", "jukung", "talaka", "bahitra", and "jong". It is the oldest form of boat building in the Indonesian archipelago and has been recorded in Gilimanuk, Bali. The boat builders are known as ''undagi lancang''. According to the ''Ngantang'' inscription, ''lancang'' were also used in Majapahit-controlled areas. The ''lancang'' of this era has no sails.

''Lancang'' have overhanging square sterns above a sharp waterline stern. ''Lancang'' usually have 2 masts, but single and tri-masted vessels are also recorded. Historically they were steered using double quarter rudders, but in the 18th century they also used axial rudders mounted at the sternpost. The smallest ''lancang'' were 5 ''depa'' (9.1 m) long, with a 1 ''depa'' (1.8 m) beam, draft of 1.5 ft (46 cm), and a 4 ft (1.2 m) freeboard. These smaller boats could carry cargo of around 5 ''pikul'' (312.5 kg) and were crewed by 4 men, while the largest may have reached about 26 m long, based on the Sambirejo shipwreck. ''Lancang'' from older era is rigged using tanja sails, but dipping lug sails or fore-and-aft sails are used after the arrival of the European. ''Lancang'' has "clipper" bow, with triangular fore-gallery for anchor, which also acts as bowsprit. Headsails may be used at the bow. The hull is carvel-built, built with style very similar to European ships. They are usually armed with pivot guns.

In Bandar, Malaysia, a type of ''lancang'' called ''lancang To'Aru'' is built.''To'Aru'' was one of the council of four great chiefs of Selangor, who in former days had much power, and to whom was entrusted the election of the Sultan. ''To'Aru'' was the most powerful of these four great chiefs, and took his name from a district called Aru, in Sumatra, from which he came over to settle in Selangor. Aru is probably the same as the word "Aru" (also eru or 'ru), which means a casuarina-tree. Bandar was the name of the place (on the Langat River) where ''To'Aru'' lived (Smyth, 1902: 580). It is similar to ''lancang'' in hull, but with projecting or hanging rectangular platform over the bow, in which two swivel guns are mounted. The sail is using fore-and-aft sail in gaff and boom on two masts. Boats which such rig on the east coast of Malaya generally carry long topmasts and jib-booms for light-weather sails.

Uses

''Lancang'' were primarily used for war and as merchant vessels. Portuguese records mentioned their use as barges or lighters. The intercourse with European people decreased Singaporean piracy in 1820s, although it still exist, using smaller ships than formerly used, for several decades to come. Around Singaporean waters, Malay pirates used ''lanchang'' carrying 25–30 men, with shallow draft, making them easy to conceal in mangroves. They generally used ''lancang'' between 15 and 18 m long, 3.4–4 m in beam, and with 1.5–2.1 m draft.

In the 20th century, Malay states used ''lancang'' as cargo boats. Along the Sumatran coast, ethnic Malay rajas (kings) used them as state ships. In Selangor, this royal vessel is dedicated to the service of the spirits, also called ''kapal hantu'' (ghost ship), which are laden with offerings, then set adrift to propitiate the demons of the sea. In Sumatra and Kalimantan, ''lancang'' play an important role in harvesting ceremonies and sometimes the boats are used in offering ceremonies to the god. Sometimes dragon heads are carved on the bow as a representation of power that maintains humans' safety.

In traditional culture

Lancang Kuning (yellow lancang) is a traditional Malay ghazal song from Johor, Malaysia created by the Datuk Luar Bandar Johor in 1900. The traditional story was taken as a metaphor for the ruler's power and the state. A popular (poem) explains this:

''Lancang kuning berlayar malam''
''Haluan menuju ke laut dalam''
''Kalau nakhoda kurang faham''
''Alamat kapal akan tenggelam''

Translation:

The ''lancang kuning'' sails at night
Her bows towards high seas
If her skipper is ignorant
She is bound to be wrecked

Lancang Kuning is also a classic Malay film by Cathay-Keris Film Productions in 1962. It was produced in Singapore and directed by a Malaysian film director M. Amin.

Gallery

The Entrance of ye Harbour of Batavia, hand coloured copper engraving.jpg, View of Batavia, 1669.
Lancha model 1902.png, A model of lancha, 1902.
Model of Siak Lanchang Cat. No. 76,206 U.S.N.M..jpg, A model of lanchang, from Siak, on the coast of Sumatra.

See also

* Lancaran
* Lanong
* Banting
* Bajak
* Sampan panjang

Note

References

{{Indonesian traditional vessels

Merchant sailing ship types
Naval sailing ship types
Indonesian inventions
Sailboat types
Two-masted ships
Three-masted ships
Indigenous boats
Warships
Pirate ships