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2. The message of boat symbolism Besides its function as an ordering model the image of the boat has a completely different role in the island culture. The use of the terms 'boat' and 'helmsman' as constituent parts of a whole express, at different levels, a dependency relationship. On the islands the creation of things on various occasions is described or represented as bringing that thing 'into service' (as one would a ship). But boats can only set sail when two conditions have been met: both boat and helmsman have to be available. We shall try to clarify what this means in practice on the basis of boat symbolism as it applies in the founding of a family or the creation of society. | |
