Later, the men and their families pole bigger canoes to their slash and burn gardens or sago palm harvesting areas back along the edge of the river and its lagoons. The villagers cut or widen narrow channels to provide better access. In the dry season, only small canoes may make it up these barets that wind back to villages deep in the vast heart of the Sepik flood plain. In the wet season, when the water comes up under the floors of the stilt houses and a canoe is the only way to travel even between houses, remote villages become more accessible. It's easier to paddle than to walk, especially if you are carrying something.
Women generally sit and paddle, men stand and pole.
The war canoes of the men have canoe shields on the front, a row of standing men in full body paint, spears ready and long paddles with feathers flying from the shafts. They chant and shout in unison as they pole the long dugouts towards their enemies. These days, war canoes are mostly for celebrations such as Independence Day or paid performances for the tourists or visiting TV special crews. Indonesia Ceremonial canoes also include large dance platforms in the shape of a canoe and special wooden canoes with carved spirit figures. Canoe racing is popular and on the Sepik there are new hot-rod dugout canoes, shaped roughly like a speedboat.