Historical information

The outrigger gives greater stability and seaworthiness to the canoe. Outrigger canoes were originally developed by the peoples of the islands of Southeast Asia for sea travel, and were used to transport these peoples eastward through to Polynesia and New Zealand more than 2000 Years ago. Today they are still in use.
This item possibly came to Orbost with Reverend Alexander Morton . Morton was the minister at the Presbyterian church about 1890. He had spent time in new Hebrides and went on to New Zealand.

Significance

This item is an example of a handcrafted artefact from the New Hebrides.

Physical description

Detailed model of an outrigger canoe from the Polynesian islands. It isa handmade wooden (possibly breadfruit wood) model of an outrigger canoe - one outrigger attached to the main hull. Bound with string. It has two wooden paddles.