Bringing Back the Ancient Tradition of Traditional Boat Building in the Pacific Territory

In October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that signified a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a initiative that seeks to restore traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an project designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance developed alongside and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always traveled by water. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those practices faded under foreign occupation and outside cultural pressures.

Tradition Revival

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and following a two-year period the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the group has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the far south to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often use synthetic materials. Locally, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “That represents all the difference.”

The canoes built under the initiative merge oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and traditional construction history at the local university.

“For the first time ever these subjects are included at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

He traveled with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the ocean collectively.”

Policy Advocacy

In July, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

In front of government and foreign officials, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Kanak custom and participation.

“We must engage these communities – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Contemporary Evolution

Now, when mariners from throughout the region – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, refine the construction and ultimately sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are linked.

“It’s all about public engagement: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels function as a means to start that conversation.”