Malaita Province
Encyclopedia
Malaita Province is one of the largest provinces of the Solomon Islands
. It is named for its largest island, Malaita
(also known as "Big Malaita" or "Maramapaina"). Other islands include South Malaita Island
(also called "Small Malaita" or "Maramasike"), Sikaiana Island, and Ontong Java Atoll
. The provincial capital and largest urban center is Auki
, located on Big Malaita. The population of the province is 122,620 (1999). The area of the province in 4,225km².
n ethnicity. The outer islands of Ontong Java and Sikaiana are of a Polynesia
n ethnicity.
The Melanesian population of Malaita has unique cultural traditions in social aspects of life. Bride price is a tradition which is unique to Malaita compared to the other islands of the Solomon Islands. In this practice the grooms parents present customary money of shells and as well as food to the brides parents. There is also exchange of food involved.
The violation of cultural taboos and practices as well as causing personal offense is considered a cultural affront. Malaita culture calls for the exchange of valuables to ease and resolve the alienation that may thus arise. This is called fa abua or fa okae (compensation).
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. It is named for its largest island, Malaita
Malaita
Malaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. A tropical and mountainous island, Malaita's pristine river systems and tropical forests have not been exploited. Malaita is the most populous island of the Solomon Islands, with 140,000 people or more than a third of the...
(also known as "Big Malaita" or "Maramapaina"). Other islands include South Malaita Island
South Malaita Island
South Malaita Island, also known as Small Malaita and Maramasike, is a large island at the southern tip of the larger island of Malaita in the eastern part of the Solomon Islands. It is called "small" to distinguish it from the much larger mainland. It is now part of Malaita Province...
(also called "Small Malaita" or "Maramasike"), Sikaiana Island, and Ontong Java Atoll
Ontong Java Atoll
Ontong Java Atoll or Luangiua is one of the largest atolls on earth. It is sometimes referred to as Lord Howe Atoll, not to be confused with Lord Howe Island.-Description:Administratively Ontong Java belongs to the Solomon Islands...
. The provincial capital and largest urban center is Auki
Auki
Auki is the provincial capital of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands. It is situated on the northern end of Langalanga Lagoon on the north-west coast of Malaita Island. There are daily flights between the Solomons capital of Honiara and Auki...
, located on Big Malaita. The population of the province is 122,620 (1999). The area of the province in 4,225km².
Ethnicity
The people of the main island are of MelanesiaMelanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
n ethnicity. The outer islands of Ontong Java and Sikaiana are of a Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
n ethnicity.
The Melanesian population of Malaita has unique cultural traditions in social aspects of life. Bride price is a tradition which is unique to Malaita compared to the other islands of the Solomon Islands. In this practice the grooms parents present customary money of shells and as well as food to the brides parents. There is also exchange of food involved.
The violation of cultural taboos and practices as well as causing personal offense is considered a cultural affront. Malaita culture calls for the exchange of valuables to ease and resolve the alienation that may thus arise. This is called fa abua or fa okae (compensation).
Islands
- AdagegeAdagegeAdagege is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
- AliteAlite IslandAlite Island is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
- Anuta PainaAnuta PainaAnuta Paina is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province, to the east of Malaita....
- FunaafouFunaafouFunaafou is an island in the Lau Lagoon off the northeast coast of Malaita Island. Administratively, it is located in the Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands. Indigenous religious traditions include shark worship.-External links:*...
- LaulasiLaulasi IslandLaulasi island is an artificial island in the Langa Langa Lagoon, South of Auki on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. It is believed that Headhunter tribes from mainland Malaita forced some people into the lagoon where over time they built their islands on sandbars after diving for coral...
- Maana'ombaMaana'ombaMaana'omba is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
- MalaitaMalaitaMalaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. A tropical and mountainous island, Malaita's pristine river systems and tropical forests have not been exploited. Malaita is the most populous island of the Solomon Islands, with 140,000 people or more than a third of the...
- MaramasikeSouth Malaita IslandSouth Malaita Island, also known as Small Malaita and Maramasike, is a large island at the southern tip of the larger island of Malaita in the eastern part of the Solomon Islands. It is called "small" to distinguish it from the much larger mainland. It is now part of Malaita Province...
(South Malaita) - MbasakanaMbasakanaMbasakana is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
- NdaiNdaiNdai is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
- Ontong JavaOntong Java AtollOntong Java Atoll or Luangiua is one of the largest atolls on earth. It is sometimes referred to as Lord Howe Atoll, not to be confused with Lord Howe Island.-Description:Administratively Ontong Java belongs to the Solomon Islands...
- SikaianaSikaianaSikaiana formerly called Stewart Islands is a small atoll 212 km NE of Malaita. It is almost 14 km in length and its lagoon, known as Te Moana, is totally enclosed by the coral reef. Its total land surface is only 2 km2...
- SulufouSulufouSulufou is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Malaita Province....
External links
- Provincial Profile of Malaita by constituency, People First Network
- Malaita photo gallery from Ministry of Commerce and Tourism
- Digital Photo Library of Malaita from the People First Network
- Arnon Atomea distance learning centre, Malaita