Theculture of the Solomon Islands reflects the extent of the differentiation and diversity among the groups living within theSolomon Islands archipelago, which lies withinMelanesia in thePacific Ocean, with the peoples distinguished by island, language, topography, and geography. The cultural area includes the nation state ofSolomon Islands and theBougainville Island, which is a part ofPapua New Guinea.[1]
The Solomon Islands includes someculturally Polynesian societies which lie outside the main region of Polynesian influence, known as thePolynesian Triangle. There are sevenPolynesian outliers within the Solomon Islands:Anuta,Bellona,Ontong Java,Rennell,Sikaiana,Tikopia, andVaeakau-Taumako.
In the traditional culture of the Solomon Islands age-old customs are handed down from one generation to the next, allegedly from the ancestral spirits themselves, to form the cultural values of Solomon Islands.
SomePolynesian societies of eastern Solomon Islands built ocean-going outrigger canoes known asTepukei. In 1966Gerd Koch, a German anthropologist, carried out research at Graciosa Bay onNendö Island (Ndende/Ndeni) in theSanta Cruz Islands and onPileni andFenualoa in theReef Islands, and returned with documentary film, photographic and audio material. The films that Koch completed are now held by theGerman National Library of Science and Technology (TIB) in Hanover.[2]
He brought back to theEthnological Museum of Berlin the last still complete Tepukei from the Santa Cruz Islands.[3]
In the contemporary Solomon Islands, as elsewhere in Melanesia,kastom is the core of the assertion of traditional values and cultural practices in a modern context.[4] The Kastom Gaden Association,[5] for example, advocates growing and eating traditional foods rather than imported ones.[6]
English is the official language, yet its use is limited among natives in casual contexts. It is used in the country's internal politics, foreign affairs and in some professional environments. Some educational institutions use English, such as inChung Wah school and Woodford International School, but most are limited toPijin.
Solomon Islands Pijin is the primary language, used in the country's capitalHoniara and, to a lesser extent, in other provinces. The language consists principally of a combination of English-derived and indigenous vocabulary, hence its common label among foreigners "Broken English".Pijin uses aphonemic orthographic system; in written form, the language has the appearance of spoken English written phonetically. "Rice", for example, becomes "Rais". Some traces of Spanish influence can be found in the language, including the word "saveh", to know, which is similar to the Spanish "saber", of the same meaning.
There is a large variety of languages inthe Solomons and, with the exception ofPijin, they tend to be limited to individual tribes. Tribes in the same geographical regions tend to understand each other's languages better, but the need forPijin becomes evident when people from different tribes interact, such as in thecapital; where it allows Solomon Islanders from a multitude of backgrounds to communicate in casual and professional settings.
Notable figures in contemporary Solomon Islands culture include painterAke Lianga and musicianSharzy. Writers includeJohn Saunana,Rexford Orotaloa, andCelo Kulagoe.[7]
Many Solomon Islanders are passionate about sport, and it forms a major part of the country's culture in terms of spectating and participation.
Solomon Islanders stories and legends have a cultural significance independent of their empirical truth or falsehood.[citation needed]
