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The Oceanic Culture Museum houses valuable articles that have significant historical value, such as the last canoes of their kind still in existence.
Kula Canoe
Kula: Symbol of Alliance
The Kula canoe originates in the Trobriand Island, Papua New Guinea. Kula is a ritual voyage practiced by the people of the Trobriand Island to strengthen alliances with neighboring islands in exchange for shell necklaces and bracelets. The Kula canoe on display is kept in perfect condition with all its sails intact. Even in Papua New Guinea today, it is not possible to find a Kula canoe in such good condition.
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Papua New Guinea’s Lakatoi
Last of Its Kind!
The Lakatoi is a canoe constructed from three dugout boats that are attached together. As the area around Port Moresby along the Gulf of Papua was better suited for making pottery than food and crops, the locals used the Lakatoi to transport pottery westwards to barter for coconuts and taro. Lakatoi in such perfect condition are rarely found today even in Port Moresby, making this one a significant and valuable exhibit. Climb the stairs to look inside!
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Trading Canoe from the Vanuatu Coast
Only One in the World!
This is a dugout canoe found in the New Hebrides. It is believed to be the last surviving traditional canoe with its original features completely intact in the world. The locals used this canoe to trade pigs for other commodities with neighboring islanders.
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Tahitian Ceremonial Double-hulled Canoe
As Seen by Captain Cook!
This restored ceremonial canoe is the same one an artist accompanying British explorer James Cook sketched when they visited Tahiti in 1774. There are no other canoes of this kind still in existence today, making this restored version the last Tahitian ceremonial canoe in the world.
Tahitian ceremonial canoes have decorative figures at the bow and stern and a small temple on the deck.