In Bihac, the tradition of making Una boats has been cherished since ancient times. Mersad Deda Smajic (74) is a famous Bihac boatman, who for three decades has been passing on his passion and art of making boats to fans of traditional Una boats that can be seen along the Una river.
With skilled hands and dedicated work, Deda has become synonymous with this unique type of wooden vessel.
Even as a young man, he was enchanted by the beauty and elegance of the Una boat that adorned the river and connected people throughout the centuries. His love for boats gradually turned into a craft, and Deda devoted himself professionally to making boats and thus preserved the rich heritage of Bihac.
In his shop, on the work table, journalists found a Una boat in the final stage of construction, so on that occasion he revealed several details and secrets of this traditional craft.
“Boats are made from fir and spruce, while spruce is much better, but it is less available than fir and is difficult to find. The wood must be cut and dried in time because it is necessary for the material to be dry when the process of making a boat begins. The frame of the boat can be made of oak, black locust, or mulberry. Mainly made of hardwood. Cardboard is placed on the boat and a sheet is nailed over it so that it does not let water in, and that is the only thing I can guarantee. Everything else depends on how the owner takes care of the boat,” Deda stated.
If it is well anchored, as he points out, the boat can last for ten years, but if it gets wet and dries in the sun, and if it is exposed to various weather conditions, the boat wears out quickly.
By gaining knowledge and experience, Smajic became a master of this craft. His boat-making skills are recognized in Bihac and beyond. His work is deeply connected to the river Una, which is a source of inspiration for many artists in this region.
Just as the river Una flows through different landscapes and brings the beauty of nature, Deda’s boats are a symbol of freedom and connection with nature.
“The process of building a boat takes about seven days. However, the boat can be finished in three days if the owner paints the boat himself. Otherwise, up to seven days are needed to complete the boat. It must be done indoors, never outside, because the material cracks quickly. I also make oars, and they are made specially. I make them from parts and put them together. It’s simple, in addition to knowledge and skill, you must also have the necessary tools,” Smajic said.
The difference between Bihac and Bosanska Krupa boats is in length and width. The Bihac boat is four meters long, while the Bosanska Krupa boat is six. The one made by boatmen from Bosanska Krupa is not suitable for riding on the Una in the area of Bihac, because the Una in that part is full of rapids and waterfalls. In Bosanska Krupa, the Una River is calmer and boats can sail longer there.
There are about a dozen active boatmen in the Bihac area – many have died but managed to pass on their skills to younger generations.
