Reviving the Ancient Craft of Traditional Boat Building in the Pacific Territory

In October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the lagoon – a seemingly minor event that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an event that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a rare show of unity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a program that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always traveled by water. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold profound traditional significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs faded under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the administration and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the organization has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and facilitated the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Resource Benefits

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often work with modern composites. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “This creates all the difference.”

The canoes built under the program combine traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“For the first time ever these subjects are taught at advanced education. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve experienced profound emotion while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

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

“Throughout the region, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage together.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure visited the European location to share a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and overseas representatives, he advocated for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and community involvement.

“We must engage them – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats together, adjust the structure and eventually navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

In his view, teaching navigation and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who decides what happens there? Traditional vessels serve as a method to begin that dialogue.”