It is approximately ten metres long and very narrow, quite open, very low, and weighs about four tons. It had
outriggers of
bamboo about five feet off each side, which supported a bamboo platform extending the whole length of the vessel. while within was a convenient passage fore and aft. The middle portion of the boat is covered with a thatch-house, in which baggage and passengers are stowed. The
gunwale is not more than a foot above water, and suffer the great top and side weight. According to Robert Dick-Read, every leader in the Maluku region has its own ship, the leader's status depends on the number of slaves, who come from a distant island, which he captures and collects. Each ship is rowed by 300 rowers, supported by men armed with spears, blowgun, arrows, and swords in a higher fighting platform called
balai. The vessel has two steering wheels on the side, a tall pole in the stern and bow that decorated with ribbons. In the past, these poles were adorned with conquered enemy heads. ==In popular culture==