Travel Guide Canala

Canala (Xârâcùù in the eponymous language) is a municipality of 3,687 inhabitants. Dominated by the Peak of the Dead and enjoying an exceptional location at the end of a deep and well sheltered bay, the Canala plain did not fail to attract the attention of European pioneers. The Anglo-Saxon sandalwood workers tried the adventure first, in 1845, followed by the convicts, sent to prison by the metropolitan justice system in 1865. New arrivals settled in the area and the town then became the second settlement of the nascent colony, even taking the name of Napoleonville for a while. Throughout its history, it has played a key role on several occasions between allegiance to France and rejection of colonization. It was here, in 1878, that the fate of the Kanak people's insurrection was sealed. Long hesitant, the local warriors finally rallied to the French cause under the influence of Lieutenant Servan who persuaded the Getima, Kaké and Nundo tribes of their interest in countering the offensive of the Atai rebels on the west coast. In the second half of the 20th century, the situation changed and Canala became a bastion of independence in the 1970s. Eloi Machoro, one of the leading figures of the nationalist movement, was originally from Nakety, a few kilometres to the east. He was shot dead on 11 January 1985 by the police in La Foa, following armed threats from his group of pro-independence extremists. His memory is still very largely maintained in the locality. Nowadays, the future of the region seems to be based on its nickel activity, but also on the richness of its agriculture, symbolized by the mandarin tree. It can also count on the beauty of its landscapes and its perennial culture. However, this municipality has been marked by many incidents and incivilities in recent years. It is important to be vigilant and not to leave your car outside a safe place. The population is very welcoming and will help you, but juvenile delinquency is high.