Corougle, Corracle, Curricle and Coricle–The Coracle
“Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.”—-William Shakespeare
Years elapse and designs evolve; the coracle, an ancient interwoven willow boat, remains steadfast. In spite of the stately vessels developed today, her unwaning simplicity serves her continuance. Oval in form, keelless, bound in hide and quiet, the small bateau wafts along the world’s currents and disturbs little. Dating back centuries and bred from the rivers of Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland, she has linked fishermen with fish and travelers with currents. She has rested upon swishing waters since perhaps the early years of our kind and will probably remain for many more. A bold, utilitarian and circular transport for one with no spare flesh; just reeds and a paddle. Forget the indignant howls of a motor and the whirling sound of sails, she says! Sit upon the river water and let her hold you until time calmly ripples away. She is the coracle, hear her whisper.
The coracle, though, is not of only Anglo-Saxon origin for it would seem that many parts of the world have embraced this craft. As indicated by a dear Kurungabite, Simon, the boat also exists in the following places and under the following names:
* Tibet – ku-dru and kowas
* Native American societies – bull boat
* Vietnam – thung-chai
* Iraq – gufa or quffa
*India – parisal (tamil) teppa or harigolu (kannada)
Tibet: Ku-Dru
Native American: Bull Boat
Vietnam: Thung Chai
Iraq: Quffa
India: Parisal Teppa
thanks Noah, sweet words here, and not to leave too anglo-celtic a tang to the piece it is worth mentioning other related craft and places:
* India – parisal (tamil) teppa or harigolu (kannada)
* Iraq – gufa or quffa
* Native American societies – bull boat
* Tibet – ku-dru and kowas
* Vietnam – thung-chai
and more, no doubt…
check ‘Boats of South Asia’ by Seán McGrail (another celt no doubt) for detailed building instructions for filling a lazy weekend
Simon! Thanks for the additional forms of the corcal. I will definitely update the small piece with your information.
Hey Simon, take a look at the small commentary and photos I found. Let me know what you think or if you have anything else to add. Thanks for reading and leaving a message! Much appreciated!
looks good Noah
- now the trap is set, the hook baited, and we need just one synapse to fire, and we will have the SUV enter stage right
Some bearded old sea dog must have written this piece.
The hivernal season is approaching! It might be time to bust out the old facial follicles to scare each and every person I encounter. I just need to buy a corn pipe and move to Nantucket. Only then will I have sea dog cred!
after David Whyte reads John O’Donohue’s poem, he tells about the significance of the canvas fraying in the currach and the stain of ocean blackening beneath you…
Thanks Simon! Great piece.
link to one of the last interviews with John O’Donohue from a US public radio broadcaster (92min uncut)
http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/being/unheard_cuts/2010/11/24/20101125_inner_landscape_uc_donohue_64.mp3
love his call for a pedagogy of interiority, and of ‘beauty’ as “a kind of call to homecoming for the enriched memory of your unfolding life”
seasons greetings!
Hello.
The chap in the coracle is actually in a fruit/vegetable basket, not big enough for a coracle but it is an interesting ‘folk’ photo.
Best Wishes
Conwy