Traditional outrigger canoes training in 'Eua [1]
Monday, April 19, 2021 - 11:10
Training in the building and maintaining of Popao (outrigger canoes) is being held in ‘Eua, starting on April 14, with the aim to complete 20 canoes within two weeks. This initiative invests in indigenous knowledge for resilient communities.
The initiative not only trains men and youth with skills to carve these outrigger canoes, but also its maintenance and fishing skills.
Minister for Finance, Hon.Tevita Lavemaau attended the launch as ‘Eua People’s Representative.
MORDI Tonga said the training is a community driven effort based Community Development Plans for nine communities, led by District Officer Mr Sione Tuifio Finau and Town Officers.
At the end of the training each community will have two popao and two for the District of ‘Eua-fo’ou.
Fishing for healthier diets
The outrigger canoes will assist communities to have access to shallow water fishing, contributing to healthier diets that will combat Non-Communicable Diseases, a major culprit to the populations very high obesity rates.
MORDI Tonga, said the fisheries sector is an important source of food and nutrition for households in Tongan communities especially in the outer islands. Often times households sell surplus to local markets as added income for the family.
During COVID-19 rural households have been sustained with agricultural products and fish from shallow waters and gleaning for shellfish during low tides.
“This is also important because traditional knowledge has been passed down orally and for most parts these have survived through the years. Some are at risk of being lost from recent memory as these gatekeepers to traditional knowledge age and pass away. The role modern technology has played also puts these precious heritages at risk. The use of traditional canoes is rarely seen and the knowledge of its construction now rests upon a handful of Tongans,” said MORDI.
Ninety participants have been invited to attend the training, 10 per community of which five are men and five youth. The community has made their in-kind contributions to the training with logs for the canoes, traditional art of canoe carving and fishing.
Master Carver Sione Tu’ione Pulotu carries out the training assisted by three expert carvers.
Through these ‘Eua communities Community Development Plans (CDP’s) the men and youth had identified an increase of high school drop outs, and have identified their need to invest in capacity building for both groups.
The program is supported through a Tongan Government project TRIP II implemented by MORDI Tonga and funded by IFAD.