The Story of Fai‘ota: Resolving an Ancient Conflict in Malaita, Solomon Islands

Omani, John; Burt, Ben

The Story of Fai‘ota: Resolving an Ancient Conflict in Malaita, Solomon Islands

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Omani, John

Burt, Ben

Date published

October 2024

Abstract

The people of Malaita in Solomon Islands identify with their ancestors through genealogical histories that shape relationships among families and clans. In 2020, John Omani, one of the authors of this article, was involved in a reconciliation between two clans whose ancestors had quarrelled 17 generations ago. He reviews this history, documented by co-author Ben Burt, and they examine the issues of ancestral culture and Christianity underlying the relationship between the clans and the ancestors, who they still respect but no longer pray to. The reconciliation ceremony shows how Malaitans have maintained ancestral values of conflict resolution over a century of colonial change.