Apilan and kota mara

Short description: Structure for mounting cannons in Malay prahu

Malay prahu warboat (1863).

Apilan and kota mara are two Malay nautical terms which refers to the structure on a vessel where the cannon is installed. This term is used especially on Malay ships and boats.

## Contents

* 1 Apilan
* 1.1 Etymology
* 2 Kota mara
* 2.1 Etymology
* 3 Example on records
* 4 See also
* 5 References

## Apilan

Iranun lanong warship with apilan mounting 2 guns.

Apilan (or ampilan)[1]: 354 is the wooden gunshield found in Malay prahus where cannons are placed. It has a hole to place long gun, and sometimes swivel gun can be placed over the top of the apilan. Apilan is not permanent, it can be assembled, disassembled, and moved.[2] The crew of Malay prahu operated the long gun behind an apilan. The apilan usually situated at the bow of a prahu.[3] This gun-shield was only put on when the ship went into action. Sunting apilan is the name given to two lelas or light guns standing on the gun-shield of a heavy gun.[4]

### Etymology

Apilan is a true Malay word, it was not descended from any word. It is also a standalone word, due to the fact that the syllable is api-lan instead of apil-an.[5]

## Kota mara

Sketch of a lanting kotta mara showing cross section across the center, construction of a firing hole, and the construction of a corner post.

Kota mara is the breastwork or casement of Malay prahus. The function is to protect the gunner. Contrary to apilan, the kota mara cannot be moved.[2] It is the permanent bulwark of the battery in a Malay piratical ship. The term saga kota mara refers to a peculiar props keeping the gun shield (apilan) in position. The word benteng is also used for this permanent breastwork. Ambong-ambong are blocks of wood forming part of the framework of the battery in a Malay piratical perahu. These blocks support the base of the benteng.[4] The kota mara is already existed since at least the 8th century A.D., being shown in Borobudur ship bas relief.[6]

### Etymology

The term comes from Malay word kota which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word कोट्ट (kota) which means fort, fortress, castle, fortified house, fortification, works, city, town, or place encircled by walls.[7] The word mara may come from Malay word meaning "appear before", "forward", "come",[5] "moved to the front", "forward", and "advanced".[8] Thus it can be interpreted as "breastwork before a cannon" or "breastwork at the front". According to the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), kota mara means (1) Wall on a ship to protect men mounting the cannon (2) Terrace or wall over a castle which a cannon is mounted.[5] According to H. Warington Smyth, kota mara means transverse deck bulkhead at stem and stern (of a ship).[9] Benteng itself means fort, battery, or redoubt.[4]

## Example on records

Detail of a lanong. Apilan and sunting apilan can be seen.

Singapore resident John Crawfurd recorded Malay piracy near Singapore waters. The Malay pirate ships of the time were 40–50 feet (12–15 m) long with 15-foot (4.6 m) beam. The decks were made of split nibong wood. Smaller pirate craft put up thick plank bulwarks [apilan] when fighting, while larger ones like those of the Lanun people had bamboo ledges hanging over their gunwales, with a protecting breastwork [kota mara] of plaited rattan about 3 feet (0.91 meters) high. A crew might consist of 20–30 men, augmented with oarsmen of captured slaves. Small craft would have nine oars per side; larger ones would be double-banked, with an upper tier of oarsmen seated on the bulwark projection hidden behind rattan breastwork. Pirate armament included a stockade near the bow, with iron or brass 4-pounders, and another stockade aft, generally with two swivel guns. They also might have four or five brass swivels, or rantaka, on each side. They have bamboo shields, and were armed with spears, keris, muskets and other firearms they could get.[10]

H. H. Frese description of personal ship of the Sultan of Riau from 1883:[11]

> This fast and impressive ship is heavily armed to fend off pirates, a real danger at that time. Two heavy muzzle-loading brass guns mounted on carriages are placed on the foredeck pointing forward. A heavy shield, or apilan, for the protection of the gunners, is constructed of horizontal beams for which fresh wood had to be used to prevent dangerous splintering when hit by a ball or bullet.

— The Mariner's Mirror

Lieutenant T.J. Newbold record about the Malay pirate prahu:[3]

> The prahus used by Malay pirates are from eight to ten tons burthen, extremely well manned and remarkably fast, particularly with the paddles commonly used. They are generally armed with swivels on their bows, centre, and stern, of small calibre, but long range. When preparing to attack, strong bulwarks of wood called Apilans are erected, behind which the crew ensconce themselves, fighting with their long guns until their prey is disabled; or till the gong sound the signal for boarding.

— Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Volume 5

## See also

* Jong - Javanese sailing ship
* Engineering:Malangbang - Indonesian medieval sailing ship
* Engineering:Kotta mara - Floating fort from Borneo
* Engineering:Lanong - Type of warship from the Philippines
* Engineering:Bajak
* Engineering:Salisipan

## References

1. ↑ Crawfurd, John (1856). A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands and Adjacent Countries. Bradbury and Evans.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wilkinson, Richard James (1908). An Abridged Malay-English Dictionary (Romanised). Kuala Lumpur: F.M.S Government Press.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Newbold, T.J. (1836). "Note on the States of Perak, Srimenanti, and other States in the Malay Peninsula". Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 5.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wilkinson, Richard James (1901). A Malay-English dictionary. Hongkong: Kelly & Walsh, limited. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Departemen Pendidikan Nasional (2008). Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia Pusat Bahasa Edisi Keempat. Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
6. ↑ Liebner, Horst (in id). 2016 Gambar Dan Tabel Perahu MSI short1.pdf. https://www.academia.edu/29803276.
7. ↑ Siegel, James T. (2018). Southeast Asia over Three Generations: Essays Presented to Benedict R. O'G. Anderson. New York: Cornell University Press. pp. 94. ISBN 9781501718946.
8. ↑ "MARA - Definition and synonyms of mara in the Malay dictionary" (in en). https://educalingo.com/en/dic-ms/mara.
9. ↑ Smyth, H. Warington (May 16, 1902). "Boats and Boat Building in the Malay Peninsula". Journal of the Society of Arts 50: 570–588.
10. ↑ Murfett, Malcolm H. (2011). Between 2 Oceans (2nd Edn): A Military History of Singapore from 1275 to 1971. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd.
11. ↑ H. H. Frese. (1956). Small Craft in the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden. The Mariner's Mirror. 42 : 2, 101-112.

* v
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Parts of a sailing ship

* Aftercastle
* Afterdeck
* Anchor
* Anchor windlass
* Apparent wind indicator
* Beakhead
* Bilge
* Bilgeboard
* Bitts
* Boom brake
* Bow
* Bowsprit
* Capstan
* Cathead
* Centreboard
* Chains
* Cockpit
* Crow's nest
* Daggerboard
* Deck
* Figurehead
* Forecastle
* Gangway
* Gunwale
* Head
* Hull
* Jackline
* Jibboom
* Keel
* Keel (Canting)
* Kelson
* Leeboard
* Mast
* Orlop deck
* Poop deck
* Porthole
* Prow
* Quarter gallery
* Quarterdeck
* Rudder
* Ship's wheel
* Skeg
* Stem
* Stern
* Sternpost
* Strake
* Taffrail
* Tiller
* Top
* Transom
* Whipstaff
* Winch

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Indonesian traditional vessels and sails

Type of sails and rigging|

* Junk sail
* Lete sail
* Nade sail
* Pinisi rig
* Tanja sail

Naval & merchant
vessels
(by origin date)|

| Ancient|

* Borobudur ship
* Cerucuh
* Jong
* Lancang
* Londe
* Perahu

|

14th c.|

* Benawa
* Jongkong
* Kelulus
* Lancaran
* Malangbang
* Pelang
* Tongkang

15th c.|

* Ghali
* Ghurab
* Pencalang
* Sampan

16th c.|

* Banting
* Juanga
* Kalulis
* Lepa-lepa (dugout canoe)
* Penjajap

17th c.|

* Knabat bogolu
* Kora kora
* Kotta mara
* Orembai
* Padewakang

18th c.|

* Chialoup
* Jukung tambangan
* Lepa
* Toop

19th c.|

* Bajak
* Bangkong
* Golekan
* Janggolan
* Jellore
* Lambo
* Leti leti
* Lis-alis
* Palari
* Sampan panjang
* Solu

Fishing vessels|

* Bagan
* Bago
* Jukung
* Kakap
* Paduwang
* Pajala
* Mayang
* Patorani
* Sandeq

* v
* t
* e

Austronesian ships

Ship types

| Taiwan|

| Kavalan|

* Mangka

|

Tao|

* Ipanitika
* Tatara

Thao|

* Ruza

Maritime
Southeast Asia|

| Brunei|

* Bajak
* Bangkong
* Gubang
* Jong
* Kakap
* Penjajap
* Tongkang

|

Indonesia|

* Abak
* Bagan
* Bago
* Bajak
* Bangkong
* Banting
* Benawa
* Borobudur ship
* Cerucuh
* Chialoup
* Eloha
* Fakatora
* Ghali
* Ghurab
* Golekan
* Janggolan
* Jellore
* Jong
* Jongkong
* Juanga
* Jukung
* Jukung tambangan
* Kakap
* Kalulis
* Kelulus
* Kolay
* Kolekole
* Knabat bogolu
* Kora kora
* Kotta mara
* K'un-lun po
* Lancang
* Lancaran
* Lepa
* Lepa-Lepa
* Leti leti
* Lis-alis
* Londe
* Malangbang
* Mayang
* Orembai
* Padewakang
* Paduwang
* Pajala
* Paledang
* Penjajap
* Pangkur
* Patorani
* Pelang
* Pencalang
* Perahu
* Pinisi
* Lambo
* Palari
* Sampan
* Sampan panjang
* Sandeq
* Sarua
* Sekong
* Solu
* Teneh
* Tongkang
* Toop

Malaysia|

* Bajak
* Bangkong
* Banting
* Bedar
* Buggoh
* Birau
* Cerucuh
* Ghali
* Ghurab
* Jong
* Juanga
* Kakap
* Kolek
* Lancang
* Lancaran
* Lepa
* Pelang
* Pencalang
* Penjajap
* Perahu payang
* Perahu tambangan
* Pinas
* Sampan
* Sampan panjang
* Tongkang

Moken|

* Kabang

Philippines|

* Armadahan
* Avang
* Awang
* Balación
* Balangay (Barangay)
* Baloto
* Bangka
* Bangka anak-anak
* Basnigan
* Batil
* Bigiw
* Bilo
* Birau
* Biray
* Biroko (Birok, Bidok)
* Buggoh
* Casco
* Chinarem
* Chinedkeran
* Dinahit
* Djenging (Balutu)
* Falua
* Garay
* Guilalo
* Juanga
* Junkun
* Junkung
* Karakoa
* Kulibo
* Lanong
* Lapis
* Lepa (Kumpit, Pidlas)
* Ontang
* Owong
* Panineman
* Pasaplap
* Pangayaw
* Paraw
* Salambaw
* Salisipan
* Sapyaw
* Seberen
* Tapake
* Tataya
* Tempel
* Tilimbao (Tinimbao)
* Tiririt (Buti)
* Vinta (Dapang, Pilang)

Singapore|

* Sampan panjang
* Tongkang

Island
Melanesia|

| Admiralty Islands|

* Endrol
* Kel

|

Fiji|

* Camakau
* Drua (Waqa tabu)
* Takia

Green Islands|

* Kǒp
* Tsǐne

Papua New Guinea|

* Lakatoi

Solomon Islands|

* Binabina
* Lisi (Solima)
* Tepukei
* Tomako (Mon, Ora)

Vanuatu|

* Aka
* Angga
* Wangga

Micronesia|

| Caroline Islands|

* Wa
* Wahr
* Waserak

|

Kiribati|

* Baurua

Marshall Islands|

* Korkor
* Tipnol
* Walap

Northern Marianas|

* Duding
* Duduli
* Galaideʻ (Agaraide)
* Ladjak
* Lelek
* Panga
* Sakman (Flying proa)

Palau|

* Kaep
* Wa

Yap|

* Chugpin
* Popow
* Wa

Polynesia|

| Cook Islands|

* Vaka
* Vaka katea

|

Hawaii|

* Mālia
* Waʻa
* Waʻa kaulua

Marquesas|

* Vaka touʻua

New Zealand|

* Waka
* Waka hourua
* Waka taua
* Waka tīwai

Samoa|

* ʻalia
* Amatasi
* Fautasi
* Laʻau
* Lualua (Foulua)
* Paopao
* Vaʻa
* Vaʻa-alo
* Vaʻa-tele

Society Islands|

* Ivahah
* Pahi
* Tipairua
* Vaʻa

Tonga|

* Hamatafua
* Kalia
* Pōpao
* Tongiaki

Tuvalu|

* Paopao

Madagascar|

| Malagasy|

* Lakana

|

Sakalava|

* Laka fiara

Ipanitika

Wa'a kaulua

Paraw

Padewakang

Ship construction & sailing

| Rigging|

* Crab claw sail
* Junk rig
* Pinisi rig
* Tanja sail

|

Hull|

* Catamaran
* Lashed-lug boat
* Multihull
* Outrigger
* Outrigger boat
* Polynesian multihull terminology
* Proa
* Sewn boat
* Trimaran

Navigation|

* Fanuankuwel
* Fealofani Bruun
* Hipour
* Kafeŕoor
* List of Māori waka
* Makassan contact with Australia
* Māori migration canoes
* Marshall Islands stick chart
* Mau Piailug
* Polynesian navigation
* Rapwi
* Tākitimu
* Weriyeng
* Yapese navigation

Trade|

* Austronesian maritime trade network
* Hiri trade cycle
* Kula ring
* Lapita trade network
* Lingling-o
* Maritime Silk Road
* Sa Huynh-Kalanay Interaction Sphere
* Sepik Coast exchange
* Spice trade
* Trepanging

Archaeology|

* Balangay (Butuan boats)
* Borobudur ship
* Cirebon shipwreck

Other|

* Apilan
* Burulan
* Daramba
* Kota mara

Ship replicas

| Cook Islands|

* Maire Nui
* Marumaru Atua
* Te Au o Tonga

|

Federated States of Micronesia|

* Halametaw
* Quest
* Sailoam

French Polynesia|

* Faʻafaite
* Tahiti Nui

Guam|

* Saina

Hawaii|

* Alingano Maisu
* Hawaiʻiloa
* Hikianalia
* Hōkūleʻa
* Hokualakai
* Iosepa
* Makali'i

Indonesia|

* Alfred Wallace
* Hati Marege
* Nur Al Marege
* Samudra Raksa
* Spirit of Majapahit

Malaysia|

* Naga Pelangi

New Zealand|

* Aotearoa One
* Haunui
* Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti
* Pūmaiterangi
* Te Aurere

Philippines|

* Balatik
* Diwata ng Lahi
* Lahi ng Maharlika
* Masawa Hong Butuan
* Raya Kolambu
* Raya Siyagu
* Sama Tawi-Tawi
* Sarimanok
* Sultan sin Sulu

Samoa|

* Gaualofa

* See also:
* Lapita culture
* Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia

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