Senegal Wooden Pirogue Model Hand Carved Hand Painted w/ Village Scene Folk Art

Hand carved wooden pirogue model, hand painted with a scene of Senegalese village life. Senegal is located on the west coast of Africa and fish is a staple of Senegalese cuisine. Every day, fishermen put out directly from the beach into the Atlantic Ocean in pirogues, long canoe-like boats with a flat-ended stern where the outboard motor is placed. When the fishermen return, they often sell their catch right on the beach. Senegalese pirogues are hand built by artisans and are painted is bright colors. Pirogues are so embedded in the culture of Senegal that they are a national symbol. The Pirogue model is styled after a smaller boat that is hand propelled and is pointed on both ends. The interior is beautifully painted with a stylized village scene. The color scheme features red, yellow, and green - the colors of Senegal's national flag. The brush strokes are exquisite. Looking at the painting, I can imagine it coming alive, with me in it. Sunset in a quiet town, the cries of children playing soccer, the smell of fish stew cooking over a wood fire. The clatter of a horse's hoofs and the squeaking of wagon wheels. The stillness of the green, green jungle as everything pauses as the heat of the day wanes... just before the start of an evening breeze. That's how I feel when I look at this little boat. I will proudly display it in my home until it calls out to someone else. The model is 16.5" long, 4.5" wide, and 1.25" deep. It can be displayed on a flat surface, or on a w