Reviving the Lost Tradition of Traditional Boat Building in the Pacific Territory

During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the lagoon – a small act that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an occasion that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a program that works to resurrect heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance developed alongside and by native populations that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs faded under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the administration and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The most difficult aspect wasn’t cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to enhance traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the group has organized a showcase, released a publication and enabled the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. Locally, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “It makes all the difference.”

The vessels constructed under the program integrate traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and ancestral craft methods at the educational institution.

“It’s the first time these subjects are included at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the ocean as a community.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he met with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and international delegates, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on local practices and participation.

“We must engage these communities – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Today, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes together, adjust the structure and eventually navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, instructing mariners and supporting ecological regulations are linked.

“It’s all about how we involve people: who is entitled to move across the sea, and what authority governs what occurs there? Traditional vessels serve as a method to start that conversation.”