Melissa Márquez
In the heart of Oceania, the challenges posed by rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and marine health are not abstract concepts but daily struggles. This especially rings true for the people of Fiji.
An archipelago with over 300 islands and a population of less than one million, the threat of submersion due to rising sea levels looms large.
In response, Fiji is intensifying its efforts on climate action. A pivotal move in 2021 was the introduction of the groundbreaking Climate Change Act—a legally binding measure establishing a framework for the formulation and execution of definitive, long-term climate change strategies and policies. These initiatives aim to ensure the resilience of Fiji and its people, as well as the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in the challenging landscape of the climate emergency. As part of this approach, Fiji is actively exploring nature-based solutions to address some of its most urgent challenges.
And at the forefront of solving some of these challenges? Fiji’s youth.
The younger generation in Fiji, comprising over 60% of the population, finds itself at the forefront of innovative solutions to combat climate change. However, the traditional expectation of youth passivity, rooted in Fijian culture, creates a complex dynamic in addressing these challenges. Despite the cultural norms that often sideline young people from important discussions, Fijian youth are rising to the occasion. In turn, they are looking to a significant aspect of Fiji’s identity: its maritime history.
Historically renowned for their seafaring skills, Fijians navigated the vast Pacific Ocean with finesse, using the innovative design of double-hulled sailing canoes called druas. Large and swift, certain druas could attain speeds of up to fifteen knots when propelled by favourable winds.
They were constructed from planks and propelled by expansive triangular sails made from pandanus matting. Notably, either end of the drua could function as the bow (front). To alter its course, the entire rig was skillfully shifted to the opposite end of the boat. “This canoe is a terrific example of Fijian skills, and it also exemplifies the resilience of the ancient culture of the Pacific in the face of adverse impacts of climate change,” says Nick Nuttall, Director of communications at UN Climate Change and COP23 spokesperson.
However, during the colonial era, the colonizers felt threatened by this superior construction and remarkable speed. Recognizing the potential of these canoes to outperform their own vessels, the colonizers took drastic measures to suppress any threat to their maritime prowess. In a bid to assert control and eliminate any perceived challenge to their authority, the colonizers implemented a ban on the construction and use of Fijian druas.
It also exemplifies the resilience of the ancient culture of the Pacific
Nuttall
The prohibition, enforced for more than a century, had profound consequences – not only did it curtail the Fijian people’s ability to continue their seafaring traditions but also stifled the transmission of invaluable maritime knowledge and skills from one generation to the next. Consequently, a gap emerged in the continuity of this traditional knowledge that once defined the essence of Fijian maritime culture.
That is, until recently. The Uto ni Yalo Trust (formerly known as the Fiji Islands Voyaging Society) aims to revive the art of building, navigating, and sailing druas as sustainable vessels. Fijian youth are rekindling this Indigenous Knowledge to create a more sustainable form of sea transportation, emphasizing the philosophy that “to go forward, we need to look back.” As a testament to this commitment, 21 druas have been constructed and gifted to coastal villages on Beqa, Moturiki, and Kadavu islands. The only condition attached to these gifts is that the recipient villages send one or more young individuals to Suva for a two-week course on sailing, navigation, and maintenance of the canoes.
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“We’re trying to revive traditional boat building, navigation and seafaring,” said Uto ni Yalo Trust Vice President Dwain Qalovaki. “On the other side it ensures that, as a country, we can start decarbonising our economy by starting with our families who live in the rural areas and rely on expensive, but low-quality, diesel fuel.”
The vessels being built by the Uto ni Yalo Trust offers an eco-friendly alternative to the commonly used fiberglass boats with diesel engines, which contribute to pollution and are expensive to run. “The cost of the Government giving a fibreglass boat and a 40-horsepower outboard engine to the community is the cost of building four of these traditional sailing canoes,” Qalovaki says.
The construction process involves collaboration with a diverse group of Fijians, hailing from backgrounds that span from qualified chefs to furniture makers. Crafted by a skilled traditional boatbuilder from Lau, these six-meter-long canoes have the capacity to transport cargo and accommodate up to four individuals. “There’s a very real need for the technology that our forefathers practised using wind power to be able to ensure that number one, we don’t rely too much on fossil fuels and number two that we not keep our families in a perpetual cycle of poverty.”
This youth-driven initiative is not just about replacing environmentally-unfriendly boats but also about revitalizing a connection with the country’s past. The druas stand as a symbol of resilience and sustainability, embodying the idea that blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation can lead to a brighter, more sustainable future. In the vast expanse of Oceania, Fijian youth are navigating change, steering their communities towards a sea of possibilities.
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