Ancient Solomons' ceremony 'a splendid affair'

By Gabrielle Lawson

The Gela people in the Solomon Islands’ Florida Group staged a cere mony in August which hadn’t been done for a century—all for a woman described by a friend as a “tiny bun dle of energy, loved, feared and re spected by thousands of Solomon [slanders”.

The “tiny bundle” is Matron Chris tine Woods MBE, known by many people now living in different parts 3f the world as Matron of St Clare’s Hospital at Taroaniara on Gela, a lospital she designed and helped to Duild with the blessings of the former Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop Alfred Hill.

The celebrations by the Gela peo- Dle were their very special and sacred thank you’ for all she had done for hem. Their thanks came in August >n the 40th anniversary of her arrival n the Solomons and the 10th mniversary of the opening of St Glare’s Hospital.

English-born Queensland-trained Matron Woods hid in the bush with he help of her friends on Malaita luring the Japanese occupation, then sscaped by ship, joined the American orces and returned to the Solomons, fhe well-known missionary Dr. Fox lepended on her alone in his last rears in the islands as the mission dosed its boat-building operations at faroaniara and they were the only Europeans left there.

This is Matron Woods’ own story

of the celebrations by the Gela peo ple.

“Of our old friends, there were only the Scotts and the Dudley Wrights. It was a wonderful occasion I haven’t got over it yet. The Gela people excelled themselves to the nth degree. I knew there was some thing afoot but had no idea what was to take place until the night be fore when one of the priests came to see me and told me there was to be a special ceremony that had not been done for over 100 years!

“I was told that I had to take part and would be the Queen of Gela!— that I had to dress in tapa cloth and would wear a special necklace of porpoise teeth to denote my rank.

Apparently this priest’s brother is the direct descendant of the old Gela kings and only he can say the cere mony may take place. The ceremony itself was most spectacular. About 50 took part all dressed as wild men in their war paint with spears and shields. I was darkened and dressed and stood out to await the arrival of my husband.

“From the other side came the pro cession led by the king who looked magnificent, tall, stately and ven' dig nified, flanked by two very fierce looking warriors, then more warriors with a huge pig with curly teeth. Only such a pig may be used they told me.

Behind them more warriors with a four-fathom pudding. 1 was supported

by six maidens in custom dress of early days carrying on their heads puddings made in the shape of canoes, and beautifully decorated with flowers. Behind them more war riors dancing round the whole pro cession.

“I was told that 1 must keep a distance of three yards from the king; that 1 must at no time turn my back on him or I would get a spear in my back! The procession stopped three yards from me. Then the king came up and gave me a gift of custom money and I was allowed to place my gift at his feet.

“Then the warriors approached and presented the pig; then other warriors with the four-fathom pud ding also in the shape of a canoe and decorated with flowers. Then my people approached with my gifts of food which they had asked to be a case of meat and a three-fathom pud ding. All this time more warriors were dancing around us keeping a lookout for a possible enemy.

“After all this was over the chief then came and greeted me in tradi tional fashion which was three pats on the shoulder and I had to greet him in the same way. In a very loud voice he told me that I must return his visit in two months. If I didn’t he and his warriors would return to Taroaniara and kill everybody. They then did a special dance for the queen and so did the ladies. It really was a

splendid affair.”