Overview
The Fijian drua (double-hulled sailing canoe) was one of the largest and finest of the sea-going vessels built by Pacific peoples up until the 1800s. Its equivalent in Sāmoa was the ‘alia, and in Tonga the kalia.
Drua exemplify the size of some of the craft that were used to explore and settle the Pacific. They could be up to 36 metres (100 feet) long and travel at about 15 knots. The largest could carry 200 people.
Only chiefs could commission these vessels, which required the services of specialist canoe builders.