Historically, sandroing flourished in the context of the extensive exchange networks that linked the central and northern islands of the Vanuatu archipelago. This region has close to 80 different language groups, and its people have always made a practice of traveling in search of knowledge and trade.
The geographical distribution of sandroing corresponds exactly with an area that is sometimes called the ‘inland sea’ of Vanuatu. The central and northern islands of the archipelago cluster around this section of ocean to protect it from large swell and rough seas, making it ideal for inter-island travel in small vessels.
Over several centuries this allowed an extensive network of relationships to develop between different language groups. This is testified to by the dispersion and modification of songs, stories and rituals throughout the cultures that flank this inland sea.
Traditionally, sandroing was integral to this dynamic circulation of information and knowledge. In fact, sandroing probably developed as a form of communication and symbolic exchange within this cultural network, allowing ideas to be shared between different language groups. The strong link between sandroing and inter-island travel is underscored by early ethnographies, which record sandroing designs that depict double-hulled canoes.