Traditional Voyage Canoes Depart Temotu for Pacific Islands Forum in Honiara

By Ian Kaukui

The traditional voyage canoe of Temotu Province, known as Tepuke, and Fiji’s Uto Ni Yalo have departed Temotu Province en route to Honiara for the upcoming 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

The two canoes left the shores of Luova, just a few kilometres from Lata, around 4:30 PM today, following a sending-off service led by the Temotu Diocesan Bishop, Reverend Patteson Nibeo.

A Lata resident and nurse by profession, John Tua, described the event as both emotional and historic, as the community bid farewell to the voyagers.

Mr. Tua said that after the service, they presented gifts, including food for the crew members, who received them with a traditional dance before boarding their canoes.

“All we could say was our wish for a safe journey to Honiara,” he added.

Meanwhile, the captain of Tepuke, Mr. Ambrose Miki, said he has nine crew members, and four of them will transfer to the Uto Ni Yalo, while four crew members from the Uto Ni Yalo will board the Tepuke.

“After discussing with the Uto Ni Yalo captain, we decided to share our crews and sail side by side to Honiara as part of sharing the message of Wan Solwara together,” he said.

The trip is expected to take more than three days, depending on wind conditions.

SIBC News understands that a traditional welcome ceremony will be held at the Solomon Islands National University Marine School area on Monday.

The ceremony will be conducted by cultural groups from Temotu Province, including the Nelo dancers and a combination of performers from the Vaeakau group of islands and the Duff Islanders.

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