Fijian drua "Sema Makawa"

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Captured at the Auckland Maritime Museum. This model is shared for educational purposes only. All copyrights and intellectual property are reserved by the creators of this canoe. The signage at the museum reads: “Sema Makawa” built 1993. Drua from Fiji. Sema Makawa, meaning “Old Links”, is a sacred sailing canoe fit for a chief. She is a small example of the fermidable Fijian drua, an asymmetrical, double-hulled canoe used for ocean voyages and warfare. The largest could up to 30 metres long and carry 200 warriors. Drua were traditionally commissioned only by chiefs and built by professional canoe builders. Drua can sail at considerable speed, “shunting” back and forth (the bow becomes the stern and vice versa). The outrigger always stays to windward (…) They were steered with a long oar - an uli - and were sculled in calm weather. Length: 24 ft 4 in / 7.42 m. Beam: 8 ft 5 in / 2.56 m. Sail Area: 75 sq ft / 7 sq m. Builders: Sirilo Raqatima and Joeli Tumaimaleya.