DRUA - HISTORIC BOATS TRIVIA

DRUA – HISTORIC BOATS TRIVIA

Once considered one of the most feared of all fighting vessels the Drua is a double-hull sailing boat of Fijian origin. The plank built ships were built up to 30 metres long and could carry in excess of 200 people. They were steered by shunting. Although the hulls were identical they were of different sizes with the smaller one always sailed to the windward

'The Fijian double canoe (wangga ndrua) was the largest and finest sea-going vessel ever designed and built by natives of Oceania before contact with Europeans.'

Mainly used to transport warriors into battle they were considered sacred canoes that only aristocrats could own. According to Fijian custom it was an insult to cross her bows or to sail her windward. The launching of a Drua required bloody rituals, including human sacrifices and cannibalism.

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