Reviving the Forgotten Art of Traditional Boat Building in the Pacific Territory

In October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was launched into the lagoon – a small act that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an event that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a program that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

This past July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations developed alongside and by native populations that honor their maritime heritage.

“Forefathers always traveled by water. We forgot that knowledge for a time,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, exchange and family cooperations across islands, but those practices faded under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure partnered with the administration and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the group has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often work with synthetic materials. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes built under the program integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing seafaring and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are offered at master’s level. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Island Cooperation

Tikoure sailed with the team of the Fijian vessel, the heritage craft that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he says. “We’re reclaiming the sea together.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure visited the European location to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on Kanak custom and participation.

“You have to involve local populations – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when mariners from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels together, refine the construction and ultimately voyage together.

“We don’t just copy the old models, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

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

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who determines which activities take place there? The canoe function as a means to initiate that discussion.”