The Vanuatu Cultural Centre is pleased to announce the opening of our new permanent exhibition at The National Museum – Ol Kenu Blong Vanuatu – the story of canoes in Vanuatu. The exhibition features:
· An inspiring selection of photographs, documenting changes in canoes throughout the last 150 years
· Actual canoes and scale models of canoes, representing many of the styles from the Vanuatu islands
· Informational text, identification labels and photograph captions detailing the history of canoes in Vanuatu in Bislama, English and French
· A canoe-carver, demonstrating the art of canoe-cutting (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until early August)
· A huge selection of canoe paraphernalia, including nets, bailers, paddles, four-corners, floats, and solubs
· A DVD created by the National Film and Sound Archive that features traditional sailing canoes of Vanuatu
Large inter-island sail canoes were a prominent part of Vanuatu's maritime heritage since the Lapita people's first arrival some 3000 years ago. Inter-island trade and exchange has always been an important aspect of traditional life in Vanuatu and a central feature in the islands' economies. Trade in various food and material goods allowed for a redistribution of resources and was practiced from coastal to inland areas as well as between islands. Voyages were also made to participate in ceremonies as well as strengthen alliances on other islands. Through trade and other voyages, inter-island canoes allowed for the renewal of kinship affiliations and the dynamic exchange and diffusion of languages, ideas, knowledge, practices and material culture that has led to the great cultural diversity seen in Vanuatu today.
