Vaka

Before starting out, the vaka must be in good working order. It also needs extra equipment for emergencies – for example, the right wood (to replace broken masts GLOSSARY mast - the vertical pole that holds the sail ), pandanus mat to repair a sails, ropes, and paddles. Some bring breadfruit sap and burned lime to fill small leaks and pandanus hats to protect from the sun and rain! Everything adds weight and slows the vaka down, so only necessary items are taken. The equipment is stored well to keep the canoe balanced. Some extra parts are tied to the hull GLOSSARY hull - the body of a boat or the deck. If the canoe turns over in a storm, these parts won’t be lost. Navigators and crew know how to fix the canoe with these parts when travelling.

Big vakas are needed for long voyages. On Satawalese outrigged vakas, there is an epep (lee platform) with a little aimweim (house) on top to keep passengers and things dry. Double-hulled voyaging canoes, such as were used in Hawaii and some other Polynesian islands, had an even bigger platform between the hulls to carry people, animals, food, and extra parts.

Working in the sea

Satawalese wayfinder Lewis Repwanglug

“We can work in the sea. Let’s say the typhoon destroys our Waa, we have to go down and get the part if it’s still there. We have to tie it. We take extra rope with us so we can use it… so we can swim around to fix the Waa. OK, this is the magic. I can also do this magic or whatever to calm down the wind and the waves.”

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