"We carry the cultural and historical inheritance of ocean navigators of peerless skill and their courageous kin who crossed vast distances before the tribes of Europe had ventured forth from their small part of the earth."
Ratu (Sir) Kamisese Mara
Ratu (Sir) Kamisese Mara
Drua Experience Reinvigorating drua culture and traditional sailing skills in Fijian youth
In 2018 we designed and delivered a successful youth training program in the greater Suva area, using the traditional Fijian drua i Vola Sigavou and trained 173 youth in drua heritage and culture. This free extra curricular training programme was generously funded by IUCN and the Government of Spain.
Classes were delivered by our trained, highly-experienced Fijian traditional sailors and navigators and included theoretical components (classroom) and practical sailing tuition on the canoe.
The programme was endorsed by the Fiji Yachting Association. All students who fully completed the programme received a certificate of completion and their own training manual to keep.
This project successfully transferred traditional Fijian boat building, sailing and navigational knowledge to the next generation. In addition to the obvious cultural heritage benefits, this project contributed to SDG and youth empowerment agendas by demonstrating:
We received support for the programme as an extra-mural activity from the P.S. for Education as well as leaders of the Lami Police “At Risk” youth initiative, Fiji Yachting Association, Fiji Girl Guides, school principals and Fiji Teachers Association. Media, including TV One and Fiji Times, have been highly supportive featuring the programme in their broadcasts and publications.
“It was an amazing experience. It has taught me a lot about getting out of my comfort zone and learning a whole lot of new things.” Julia Vadei (age 21)
“It was a wonderful experience about the Drua. I learned so many things, it was the best time ever; I loved it. Thank you for teaching me.” George Taoba (age 10)
Classes were delivered by our trained, highly-experienced Fijian traditional sailors and navigators and included theoretical components (classroom) and practical sailing tuition on the canoe.
The programme was endorsed by the Fiji Yachting Association. All students who fully completed the programme received a certificate of completion and their own training manual to keep.
This project successfully transferred traditional Fijian boat building, sailing and navigational knowledge to the next generation. In addition to the obvious cultural heritage benefits, this project contributed to SDG and youth empowerment agendas by demonstrating:
- technical sail heritage knowledge,
- use of renewable energy for sustainable maritime transport,
- knowledge of the sustainable use of natural resources and tools used in traditional boat building and the need for future sustainable management of such resources,
- an introductory step to cultural, maritime and tourism employment pathways.
We received support for the programme as an extra-mural activity from the P.S. for Education as well as leaders of the Lami Police “At Risk” youth initiative, Fiji Yachting Association, Fiji Girl Guides, school principals and Fiji Teachers Association. Media, including TV One and Fiji Times, have been highly supportive featuring the programme in their broadcasts and publications.
“It was an amazing experience. It has taught me a lot about getting out of my comfort zone and learning a whole lot of new things.” Julia Vadei (age 21)
“It was a wonderful experience about the Drua. I learned so many things, it was the best time ever; I loved it. Thank you for teaching me.” George Taoba (age 10)
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We continue to look for financial support so that we can offer similar learning experiences for youth in the west of Viti Levu and will advertise future opportunities on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Captain Seta in the classroom teaching knots.
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