Spirits of the Watts Island
SAILING CANOES As told to Margo Nugent by Mathew Tabunaielo of Watts Island
T he ancestors in Milne Bay long ago believed in all kinds of spirits that would protect them on big sailing expeditions. Whether they were heading into battle or trading in the kula ring – Milne Bay’s ancient inter-island exchange system – before setting sail, each outrigger canoe, or sailau, was fitted with a fragile and sacred piece of white cowrie shell-decorated carved wood called the tabule. Tabule obtains its A fully fitted traditional ‘sailau’ (sailing canoe) with pandanus leaf sail, as used in the kula ring trade of Milne Bay, races offshore at the first Kwateya Udi Sailau Festival at Watts Island in September last year
Shell objects used as currency in the kula ring trade – bagi (necklaces) and mwali (money) – are displayed in a festival hut on the Watts Island shore
VOLUME 39 2024
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