Celestial Navigation and Technological Change on Moce Island

Abstract

Moce Island is part of the Lau island archipelago, which borders eastern Fiji.In 1998, I conducted a study of how new technologies are interfacing with the local navigation methods of Moce.Using ethnographic interviews and observations, the research reported in this paper explores the "traditional" system of navigation of Moce, which consists primarily of utilizing extensive knowledge of the wind and currents, along with celestial east/west markers.However, this system of navigation has changed over the last fifteen years to include the use of stars.This is unique among contemporary navigation studies where the majority of cultures are in the process of losing the celestial part of their navigation techniques.In most cases, celestial navigation skills are lost as new navigation and other technologies become available.The uniqueness of the Moce case is amplified further because the new navigation system began with a change in boating technology.My research suggests that the introduction of the outboard motor, which allows one to travel in straight lines prompted the use of stars on the horizon as guiding beacons.When presented with this hypothesis, the navigators who have transitioned to this new system agree.

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