The Pirogue Maker

In 1948, Robert Flaherty was working on his last film, "Louisiana Story". He was searching for a small boat, or "pirogue" for his young hero. Flaherty soon became aware that pirogue-making was a disappearing art. Finally, when he found Abdon Allemon, a Cajun craftsman, he persuaded him to make the pirogue. It may very well have been the last pirogue made in Louisiana. This is a record of that event.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• canoe
• boat
• pirogue
• robert
• flaherty
• cajun
• louisiana
• story

[Methadone4Life]

Fantastic documentary..we have lost so much of our past and our culture. Todays world is so callous and cold...progress is not always a good thing.

[GreenWillowBR]

The correct spelling of the pirogue maker's name is Ebdon Alleman of Pierre Part, LA. He was my Grandfather's brother. Arnold Eagle worked on the film and also shot hundreds of photos of Alleman and other families in 1945. The photo documentary was funded by Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil). Thanks for posting this segment. On the original full length - my Grandfather is waving with 3 of his sons to Ebdon at13:28 as he paddles along in Bayou Pierre Part.

[gunegame55]

This is probably the best 14 minute black and white movie I have ever seen. I served in the US Army in Germany with over two hundred "Cajuns" from the bayous of Louisiana. Even had a band with three of them Sadly only one of them is left of the band Bobby Nutt from Vivian, LA but we stay in touch once a week or more. All of them were my friends. They even taught me a lot of the beautiful French words. I miss them a lot.

Bill Worden,

Fort Worth, TX 1-17-2012

[GreenWillowBR]

I was told by older relatives the pirogue made in this film is on display or stored at The Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. I have not verified this information.

[javarama]

@GreenWillowBR Hello. I was wondering if the pirogue in this film still exists somewhere , and if it could be seen? Thanks

[5lkk]

Fished watching the full film, great! Thank you for making it available. I wonder if it's still possible to find tree large enough to build a pirogue in this manner. While I like learning how things where done in the past, I understand things change for a reason. Even with a skilled chain saw artist doing the carving there would be a lot of costly man hours in building one of these today. Not to mention the time it would take to developed the eye & touch to get it right repeatedly.

[GreenWillowBR]

The correct spelling of the pirogue maker's name is Ebdon Alleman of Pierre Part, LA. He was my Grandfather's brother. Arnold Eagle worked on the film and also shot hundreds of photos of Alleman and other families in 1945. The photo documentary was funded by Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil). Thanks for posting this segment. On the original full length - my Grandfather is waving with 3 of his sons to Ebdon at13:28 as he paddles along in Bayou Pierre Part.

[megalorain]

I hate earl (oil)

[lsbgomer]

Outstanding video. I made a pirogue just a few weeks ago. Needless to say , I used a different technique. :)

[subterranean47]

Progress is always a good thing.

Progression through loss of tradition and culture is not progress at all.

[TheQuietRebel]

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for your site!!!!