The Solomon Islands -

Solomon Islands Independence Feature

The Solomon Islands a treasure trove

By Sophie Foster Hildebrand

Named after King Solomon because of the gold that was easily found there in the past, the Solomon Islands is a rich tapestry of culture, politics and experiences that leave many travellers fascinated.

The country, made up of 922 islands spread over a 27,556-square-kilometre area, has a rich blend of Pacific races, from Melanesians to Micronesians to Polynesians. The art of that country is also renowned throughout the Pacific and west ern world. Throughout the month of July, the Solomon Islands is going to be hit with hundreds of people for the various events that have been organised in conjunction with the 20th anniversary celebrations of

Independence.

These include the National Trade Show and the Melanesian Cultural Festival.

These events will feature products, ser vices, and facilities available in the Solomon Islands, as well as highlighting

the uniqueness of the Solomon Islands cul ture. However, not just Solomon culture will be on show for all the other Melanesian countries are sending contin gents to Honiara for the festival. Fiji, for example, is sending a 25-member delega tion led by the ministry of women and cul ture, to perform mekes (traditional Fijian dances), and showcase artefacts and designs. For the Solomons, the Melanesian Cultural Festival is a chance to show off the complexity of cultures and traditions that exist in the islands.

From the pan-pipes to the “Spirit of the Solomons” carvings, it will be a feast for those who thrive on traditional Pacific art and culture. The Solomon Islands govern ment and tourist services have been plan ning the July celebrations since the begin ning of the year, trying to ensure that the events are well-attended internationally and that the people of the Solomons are prepared. The majority of Solomon Islanders are Melanesian, however, there are Polynesian islands and islets in Tikopia, Anuta, Rennel, Bellona, Sikaiana,

and Ontong Java. People from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands were also resettled much later than the Melanesians and Polynesians, in the 19505, and live around the Honiara and Gizo areas.

Thus when there is a “cultural night”, the variety of performances that are com monly known as Solomon is immense: from light hulas of the Polynesians to the spear dances of the Melanesians. On top of all that, the Solomons has a growing Chinese community that thrives around the business-centres. In fact, in the Solomons, the majority of businesses are owned and run by people of Chinese descent. One thing that is striking about the Solomon Islands is that the majority of people are still engaged in subsistence agriculture.

Only a small proportion are employed

in service and financial industries in the capital and around the various little cen tres. Generally, in the rural areas, crafts, such as carving and painting, are passed on from generation to generation. However, it is no doubt, a dying art form, especially the traditional forms of the ‘Spirit of the Solomons”. One artefact that is readily available and is in virtually every house in the Solomons is the Nguzunguzu, which is a figurehead that used to be attached to the brow of canoes, especially when going to war against other tribes.

The head was used because of the head hunting practice that used to be rampant in

Melanesia. Today, though, the

Nguzunguzu is simply a reminder of the past, yet the intricacies of design in some of the them are truly amazing. In the South Pacific this month, the Solomon Islands will definitely be buzzing with heaps of things to do and people to see. With the triple celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Independence with the Melanesian Cultural Festival and the National Trade Show, it will be very hard to not find some thing to do. ■