Keeping Island
p. 87 · Read in the full issue
Legend Alive
In an era of rapid changes in Pacific societies brought by contact with western ideas, one often hears Islanders bemoan the loss of their traditional stories—myths, legends, custom stories. There is only one way to record and preserve these stories and that is for interested people, whether expatriates or local, to start recording them now either on tape or paper before they dis appear forever. The Museum Com mitte of the Solomons Museum As sociation began doing this in 1972 when it published two volumes of Solomons custom stories. The first volume is a reprint of stories told by Solomon Islanders and printed in the Solomon Farmer, now out of print. Volume 2 is a collection of ’Are ’Are folklore recorded by Father Peter Geetz, who spent 25 years in the Solomons, 20 being with the ’Are ’Are people of Southern Malaita.
The illustrations in both volumes are delightfully alive and expressive.
Dick Keevil is the editor, Barbara House illustrator, and Peace Corps volunteers David and Susan Wellman have been responsible for the lay out, cover design and other artistic work. Each volume is a bargain at 50 cents. They and other future volumes must be welcomed by Solomons schools and other readers
in the Pacific.
Marjorie Crocombe.
(Custom Stories Op The Solomon
ISLANDS. Vol 1 & 2. Solomon Islands Museum Association, Government Printing Office, Honiara. BSIP. 50 cents.)
Neck pendant from Malaita