Raiders From The West

That Roviana war canoe, “New Life” {above), which won the race for war canoes at the first Festival of the Solomon Seas held in Honiara in April (PIM, May, p. 27) is not really a war canoe, but a “gopu”. But next year it is expected there will be some genuine war canoes entered.

What is a “gopu”? Ifs a type of canoe used on special occasions. The main difference between it and a war canoe is size. A war canoe carries twice as many men as a “gopu”.

The style and decorations, however, are the same. The high stern and prow with inlaid shell and decorative feather work are features of the Roviana war canoes. A few inches above the water line at the bow, the traditional canoe god, Nuzunuzu, gazes into the water to watch for coral reefs and to bring a successful conclu sion to the raiding party. He can just be seen in the photo above.

This carved head has a very characteristic long uptilted nose and pouting lips.

It is hoped that by next year, a full-sized war canoe, or “tomoko”, will descend on Honiara from the west for the second Festival of the Solomon Seas.

As with this year’s festivities the men will all be dressed as if for a villlage raid, and their paddles will be traditional Roviana pattern.