🔗 Share this article Bringing Back this Ancient Tradition of Canoe Building in New Caledonia In October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a small act that marked a deeply symbolic moment. It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an event that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity. Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a initiative that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia. Many heritage vessels have been built in an effort aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also help the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations. Global Outreach In July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their maritime heritage. “Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.” Heritage boats hold significant historical significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices faded under colonisation and outside cultural pressures. Tradition Revival His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the administration and after two years the canoe construction project – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was launched. “The hardest part didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he notes. Initiative Accomplishments The Kenu Waan project sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation. To date, the organization has created a display, issued a volume and facilitated the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the southern region to Ponerihouen. Resource Benefits In contrast to many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls. “In other places, they often work with marine plywood. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “It makes a significant advantage.” The canoes constructed under the program integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods. Educational Expansion Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and traditional construction history at the local university. “It’s the first time these subjects are offered at advanced education. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.” Regional Collaboration He traveled with the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that traveled to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024. “From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage together.” Governance Efforts During the summer, Tikoure travelled to the French city to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he met with Macron and other leaders. In front of government and overseas representatives, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on local practices and local engagement. “It’s essential to include local populations – especially fishing communities.” Current Development Currently, when navigators from various island nations – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they study canoes together, modify the design and ultimately sail side by side. “It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.” Comprehensive Vision According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are linked. “The fundamental issue involves community participation: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who determines which activities take place in these waters? Traditional vessels function as a means to initiate that discussion.”