Lancang (ship)

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. 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, 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 tenggelamTranslation: The lancang kuning sails at nightHer bows towards high seasIf her skipper is ignorantShe 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 ==