Fua lua

Fua lua. Double hulled canoe. This is a fua lua made of kanava (evergreen wood) and kafa (sennit). The wood is a light brown colour with a smooth unpolished surface. The two takele (hulls) of this fua lua have a prow piece each and these are facing in alternating directions. This suggests that this model may have been made by someone who is not of Tokelau descent. The two takele are attached via three kiato (outrigger booms) which have been lashed to the takele using kafa. A rectangular seat is located in one of the takele towards the stern of the fua lua. Across the kiato a platform has been lashed to sit evenly between the two takele. The platform is made of a darker wood than the rest of the fua lua. The platform would have been reserved for seating of prestigious people and visitors. Accompanying fua lua are four foe (paddles). In each takele two foe sit in between the kiato. These foe are made of a lighter wood than the rest of the fua lua. Fua lua were used for voyaging and created to carry a big group of people.

Other Name

Double hulled canoe (English)

Place

Tokelau Islands/Polynesia/Pacific

Accession Number

1998.13.2

Accession Date

12 May 1998

Other Id

55482.1-5 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific