‘They come alive’: Traditional Samoan canoe teaches young people about the environment and sailing


The Gaualofa can be spotted just off the Samoan coast – the double-hulled traditional-style canoe has been well worn but serves the community in several different and important ways.

Owned by the Samoan Voyaging Society, the canoe is used in their “guardians” program, aimed at keeping sailing knowledge alive and helping young people understand the importance of the environment.

Karl Steffany  and Lyvia Black standing on the deck of the traditional Samoan canoe

“We are teaching traditional navigation, celestial navigation to our crew, the young people, and we encourage them to use traditional knowledge so that it’s not lost,” said Lyvia Black, president of the Samoan Voyaging Society.

Ms Black said when young people stepped onto the canoe, “they come alive, they realise that they can do this”.

Navigation carvings on the deck of a traditional Samoan canoe

With no modern technology on board, the canoe relies on a crew to travel, and gives learning opportunities for everyone on deck.

“From the moment you leave one port, there is always a man on the rudder on the foy until you get to the next port,” Ms Black said.

*Pacific Prepared is produced by ABC International Development with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

One of the masts on a traditional Samoan canoe



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