Alancang (also writtenlanchang orlancha) is a type of sailing ship fromMaritime Southeast Asia. It is used as warship, lighter, and as royal ship, particularly used by the people ofMalay Peninsula,[1]Sumatran east coast,[2]: 579 but can also be found in the coast ofKalimantan.[3]: 193–194
The name comes from the Malay wordlancang which means "swift".[4]: 261
The earliest mention of thelancang is from Julah inscription dated 844 Saka (923 AD), which explains the orders of the KingSri Ugrasena on certain rules. The inscription mentions terms for boats such as "lancang", "parahu", "jukung", "talaka", "bahitra", and "jong".[5]: 316, 376 It is the oldest form of boat building in the Indonesian archipelago and has been recorded inGilimanuk,Bali. The boat builders are known asundagi lancang.[6][3]: 56 According to theNgantang inscription,lancang were also used in Majapahit-controlled areas. Thelancang of this era has no sails.[7][3]: 72, 77, 81, 139, 193–194
Lancang have overhanging square sterns above a sharp waterline stern.[2]: 579 Lancang usually have 2 masts, but single and tri-masted vessels are also recorded.[2]: 579 Historically they were steered using double quarter rudders, but in the 18th century they also used axial rudders mounted at the sternpost.[8]: 254 The smallestlancang were 5depa (9.1 m) long, with a 1depa (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 5pikul (312.5 kg) and were crewed by 4 men,[2]: 583 while the largest may have reached about 26 m long, based on the Sambirejo shipwreck.[4]: 261 Lancang from older era is rigged usingtanja sails, but dippinglug sails orfore-and-aft sails are used after the arrival of the European.Lancang has "clipper" bow, with triangular fore-gallery for anchor, which also acts asbowsprit.Headsails may be used at the bow. The hull iscarvel-built, built with style very similar to European ships. They are usually armed withpivot guns.[2]: 579
In Bandar,Malaysia, a type oflancang calledlancang To'Aru is built.[Note 1] It is similar tolancang 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 ofMalaya generally carry long topmasts and jib-booms for light-weather sails.[2]: 580
Lancang were primarily used for war[9]: 122 and as merchant vessels. Portuguese records mentioned their use asbarges orlighters.[10]: 189–190 The intercourse with European people decreasedSingaporean piracy in 1820s, although it still exist, using smaller ships than formerly used, for several decades to come. Around Singaporean waters, Malay pirates usedlanchang carrying 25–30 men, with shallow draft, making them easy to conceal in mangroves. They generally usedlancang between 15 and 18 m long, 3.4–4 m in beam, and with 1.5–2.1 m draft.[11]: 377
In the 20th century, Malay states usedlancang as cargo boats.[12]: 355–356 Along the Sumatran coast,ethnic Malay rajas (kings) used them as state ships.[2]: 579 InSelangor, this royal vessel is dedicated to the service of the spirits, also calledkapal hantu (ghost ship), which are laden with offerings, then set adrift to propitiate the demons of the sea.[2]: 579–580 [9]: 122 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.[3]: 193–194
Lancang Kuning (yellow lancang) is a traditional Malay ghazal song fromJohor,Malaysia created by the Datuk Luar Bandar Johor in 1900.[1] The traditional story was taken as a metaphor for the ruler's power and the state. A popular (poem) explains this:[13]: 12–13
Lancang kuning berlayar malam
Haluan menuju ke laut dalam
Kalau nakhoda kurang faham
Alamat kapal akan tenggelam
Translation:
Thelancang 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.[14]
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