In earlier days, the Moken traveled to coastal and island areas in the Mergui Archipelago by their “kabang”. This boat serves as a home and a means of transportation. Most of the kabangs nowadays are dug-outs with plank gunwales. Zalacca kabangs are rarely seen because zalacca woods have to be replaced every 3-6 months. The roofs are made with pandanus leaves sewn together. The bifurcation at the bow and stern of kabang serves as a ladder to climb in and out of the water.

The French anthropologist, Jacques Ivanoff, stated that kabang is a symbolic embodiment of a human being, with mouth and anus, and with different organs. That is why parts of the boat are named after organic parts of the human body, for example, la-kae (stomach), ta-bin (cheek), tu-koh (neck), ba-hoy (shoulder), and ta-bing (ribs).

1. “Lalad Chaep”, a strong vine species (Bauhinia sp.), is used for all-purpose binding, similar to ropes.

2. The Moken chose this tree -- “Ka-e Pa-o” (Swintonia schwenckii Teijsm. & Binn.) which stood 25 meters tall because the shape and size are very suitable for a dug-out

3. In falling a tree, the Moken make a platform so that they can climb up to the straight part of the trunk. They take turn to swing the axe until …tim-ber…!

4. “Kula” is an indigenous technology in moving or turning a hugh and heavy log like this one.

5. Moken men use kula to turn the log into a sitting position.

6. Kula consists of a wooden structure with a wooden axle, when the axle is turned, the rope will pull the heavy log into a desired position.

7. The Moken chop out the crust with axes.

8. The Moken make marks on the wood surface before chopping so that the crust or wood surface can be removed evenly.

9. By using only simple tool such as an axe, the Moken chop up grooves in the log and even them out until flat surface is exposed.

10. The Moken use a string soaked in black “ink” (made with charcoal powder mixed with water), then snap the string on the wood surface to make a straight-line mark for their dug-out.

11. The Moken make line marks into “shark’s teeth” pattern so that they can chop out wood evenly to make a dug-out.

12. The Moken then chop out wood into shark’s teeth pattern as marked

13. “Adjai” or adzes are used to dig and scrape out wood into dug-out shape

14. The Moken use kula to overturn the dug-out, then they chop out more wood to smoothen the hull.

15. The hull gets more “smoothening” touch with axes.

16. After the dug-out takes shape, then the Moken haul it out of the forest by using wood bridges.

17. The dug-out is hauled onto the beach near the village, ready for the next touch-up process.

18. The Moken use “lamae”, another simple tool to even out the inner side of the dug-out.

19. Then the Moken build stocks to raise up the dug-out and prepare for firing.

20. Stacks of firewood have to be prepared in advance for firing process. The ground is also cleared for the same purpose.

21. A slow fire is made under the dugout. The heat will soften the wood and make it more flexible.

22. The Moken flip the boat up and widen the sides by pulling them with a forked stick roped with an axle. When the axle is pulled, the pressure will widen out the hull.

23. The Moken place “kla” or wood stops on the bow and stern of the dug-out to prevent it from the danger of snapping or breaking while widening the hull.

24. A Moken man sits and observes the widening process to make sure that the sides are widened in a balance position.

25. The Moken have to use their skills and swiftness for this hull-widening process. They have to work harmoniously in order to stretch out the wood while it is still hot.

26. The Moken drill up the hull and put a stick through the hole to measure the thickness of the wood. They have to make sure the dug-out hull maintains the same thickness throughout.

27. The firing and widening the hull is then followed by another touch-up process. The dug-out has to go through firing and touching up two more times.

28. The bifurcation at the bow and the stern is made, this is a very unique part of the kabang.

29. The dug-out part is finished. The next process is to make planks to fit onto the dug-out.

30. Traditionally the Moken used zalacca wood to fit onto their dug-out. But nowadays planks are more preferable because of their durability.

31. One tree trunk only yields 2 planks. The Moken start with chopping the log into two parts.

32. Then they chop out more wood to make flat planks of 3-4 “Moken fingers” thick (measured by using their fingers).

33. After the planks take shape, then they haul them out of the forest.

34. Next is a touch-up process. The Moken use lamae to smoothen the plank.

35. Six planks are needed to fit on to one kabang.

36. The Moken measure the width of the dug-out in order to fit in ribs.

37. Planks are then fitted on to the dug-out, one by one.Planks are then fitted on to the dug-out, one by one.

38. After the six planks are fitted on, then the dug-out looks almost completed.

39. Pado or ribs are fitted to hold planks together and to strengthen the dug-out.

40. The hull is finished! What else needs to be done in order to complete the kabang?

After the long and tedious process of making a dug-out with plank sides, the Moken then have to make small planks for boat deck or floor, then they have to caulk the boat, make bamboo walls, sew pandanus leaves into a roof, make a wooden rudder, a few oars, and lastly equip the dug-out with outboard engine. Now the kabang is ready to be launched!

More observation

The Moken are particular in selecting wood to build their kabang. It is believed that the well-being of kabang’s owner depends on kabang itself. For example, if the kabang is made from knotty or bumpy wood, then the owner will have sickness which cause him/her to have knotty skin. Therefore, the Moken have to select tree which is tall, straight and without any defect. The Moken also organize a spirit-offering ritual before cutting down the tree.