Modern Polynesians Recreate Ancient Voyage With No Tech (Video)
Embarking on a voyage that bridges time and tradition, modern-day adventurers pay homage to the ancient Polynesian voyagers who first discovered the remote Hawaiian islands. Guided by the celestial bodies, bird cues, and ocean swells, these trailblazers of yesteryears navigated vast expanses, uncovering Hawaii's hidden gems. Hawaii—one of the most remote island chains on the planet—was discovered hundreds of years ago by Polynesian voyagers wayfinding in canoes. These ancient explorers relied exclusively upon their knowledge of the stars, bird behavior, and ocean swell patterns to find speckles of land.
Fast forward to today, and their modern descendants, armed with the same remarkable wayfinding techniques, are charting courses across the world's oceans. The Polynesian canoe, Hokulea, symbolizes this enduring legacy, embracing the absence of modern technology, its construction devoid of metal, held together solely by lashings and rope. As they traverse the open waters, their unwavering connection to the stars, the sea, and the heavens reignites the spirit of exploration and rekindles the flame of time-honored navigation methods. This odyssey pays tribute to the past while propelling humanity forward through the vast maritime tapestry of the present.
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Top image: Bow of the Polynesian Hokulea. Source: lameeks / Adobe Stock.