Page 31 - IB May 2018 Edition

Culture

Human sacrifice was involved from the the same waters that inspired his busi- how the hulls are hollowed out up to the
time a tree was identified in the jungle ness dream. the lashings and all the different knots
to the time the canoe was pulled into the Only this one’s better. Through the I Vola that sailors use and all the technological
water on human rollers. Siga Vou, Fiji will never lose its ancient advantages.”
“The belief was that it was necessary to technology again. The Drua Experience plans to build two
ensure fair winds when the drua sailed,” Since February, the Drua Experience bigger vessels .
he said. has been conducting sailing classes for “We have built the first and tested it.
In an interview with this magazine be- students living in Suva. Now we know and can do a bigger one
fore his death three years ago, Bese said With funding from the International that can carry more passengers.
Fijians must work harder to restore their Union for Conservation of Nature and “The Tabetebete of old used to carry
lost canoe-building and sailing skills Ministry of Education, students are taken hundreds of people,” Ledua said. “We
Thanks to Dr Nuttal, that technology is through the whole process of canoe build- want to build something that portrays
how the I Vola Siga Vou came to be. Based ing, from identifying the right tree to the the skills
on the Ratu Finau, the builders modified it last stage when it is in the water and how Manoa Rasigatale, one of Fiji’s advo-
to include details of the tabetebete. to sail it. cates for the revival of traditional and cul-
Using planks lashed together, the I Vola “Our people now have the chance to tural arts who named the Uto ni Yalo and
Siga Vou today sails with pride promot- walk in the footsteps of our forefathers sailed on her maiden voyage in 2010, said
ing sustainable sea transportation while and sail like they did,” said Ledua. the drua was the icon of Fijian maritime
providing a cruise service for tourists in The drua’s sail design is regarded as and the revival of traditional sailing and
the harbour. one of the most efficient in the world that canoe building would ensure Fiji’s future.
Ledua said abot 200 planks were used creates more lift like that of an aeroplane “The drua is the most solidly built, the
to lash the canoe together. wing. most durable that can last five to eight
With the wayfinding skills shared by the Compared to modern yachts which have years whilst in use and the fastest in all.”
students of Micronesian master navigator a sideways effect, the drua is low-lying in “Traditional sailing skills is alive and
Mau Pialug with Ledua, who is now part the water and the energy collected from will not disappear into the horizon like it
of the crew, the drua’s ancient technology a small point is on the sail is channeled once did.”
powers the I Vola Siga Vou as it captivates and gives the craft maximum power in Paki and Bese are no more but the drua
visitors to Suva. full flight. is here to stay.
Paki’s dream is now the attraction of “We teach the children all that they need
the Drua Experience, which operates in to know. From the type of tree used to r ilaitia.turagabeci@gmail.com

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Islands Business, May 2018 31