The Last White Canoe of the Lau of Malaita, Solomon Islands

Before converting to Christianity, the Lau people of Malaita in Solomon Islands constructed ornate white canoes to honor their ancestors. This book chronicles the construction of one such canoe in 1968 by a clan still practicing their traditional religion, as observed by the late anthropologist Pierre Maranda. James Tuita, one of the Lau boys who played with Maranda's son, contributed his own insights into the changes in Lau society and the importance of preserving their cultural traditions. The book is published in both Lau and English to return some of their cultural heritage to the people of Lau, Malaita, and Solomon Islands.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Sean Kingston Publishing

The Lau people of Malaita in Solomon Islands had a unique tradition of crafting exquisite white canoes adorned with intricate ornaments. This tradition was a way to pay tribute to their ancestors, who lived before their conversion to Christianity. The story of the last of these canoes, built in 1968 by one of the few clans still practicing their traditional religion, is documented in this book. The late anthropologist Pierre Maranda, who witnessed this canoe's construction, provides insight into the rich artistic and ritual practices of the Malaita people. Maranda's photographs vividly illustrate the elaborate ceremonies and festivals that accompanied these projects. James Tuita, one of the Lau boys who played with Maranda's son, later traveled to Quebec to assist Maranda with his research. In addition to writing the Lau text for this book, Tuita shares his personal observations on the significant changes that Lau society has undergone throughout his lifetime and the importance of preserving their cultural traditions. Ben Burt, a curator at the British Museum, collaborated with James Tuita to ensure that Maranda's vision for his ethnographic research was carried out after his passing. The book is published in both Lau and English languages, with the intention of returning some of the Lau, Malaita, and Solomon Islands' cultural heritage to the people.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 224 x 290 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912385348