Preparing and Starting Out

Many Pacific peoples think of a vaka as the mother of the crew and a wayfinder as the father. Before leaving, wayfinders must make sure that:
• the canoe is working well
• there is enough food and water
• the time to go is right.
Lots of people in the community help with these preparations.

Wayfinders know s many sea paths. In the days before a voyage, they study the one leading star in the path, and the partner stars that follow it by rising or setting in the same wind positions. They know each star on the path, what weather there will be, and what alternative GLOSSARY alternative - other routes to take if currents or winds will push the vaka off course.

Satawalese wayfinders must follow taboos GLOSSARY taboos - restrictions before trips, like avoiding sexual contact or only eating food made especially for them. They also performs certain rituals GLOSSARY rituals - ceremonies to protect the vaka from dangers. Some wayfinders are said to have spiritual powers to control natural forces like the weather.

Satawalese wayfinder Mau Piailug prepares his crew and visits his father’s grave before a voyage

“I sit here because… What do you call this? Grave. Yeah, this grave is for my father. He taught me about navigation. That’s why… when I sail from here to Saipan or anywhere. Because I learned from him.”

From The Last Wayfinder © INCA 1989. Directed by Andre Singer.