Body Ornaments of Malaita, Solomon Islands

Description

The Kwara'ae and other peoples of Malaita island in Solomon Islands once dressed for special occasions in ornaments of glistening white shell and pearl shell, intricately carved turtle shell, strings and straps of shell money-beads and combs and bands patterned with colourful plant fibres. Today these ornaments are easier to find in museums around the world than in Malaita, but the recollections of Kwara'ae elders help us to understand how and why they were once made and worn. With contributions from the neighbouring Kwaio people who still make such things and examples from other parts of the island in museum and private collections, this book provides the first comprehensive account of Malaitan decorative and body arts. The book reviews the significance of body ornaments in Kwara'ae society, and the history of their rejection under the changing circumstances of colonial rule and Christian conversion, illustrated by historical photographs. It describes the materials, techniques and relationships by which ornaments were produced and exchanged, and then catalogues the great variety of ornaments worn throughout Malaita, fully illustrated in detailed drawings. A vanishing tradition is documented here for the interest of Solomon Islanders as well as all those who appreciate Pacific Islands' arts.

Ben Burt is a curator in the Department of Africa, the Americas and Oceania at the British Museum. He and David Akin have been researching Malaitan culture and history since 1979, with the support of Michael Kwa'ioloa and the chiefs of Kwara'ae and Kwaio. His other books pubished by British Museum Press include Living Tradition: A Changing Life in the Solomon Islands; Our Forest of Kwara'ae and A Solomon Islands Chronicla.

...a delightful book. Lots of design ideas are presented in this book.' -- Workshop on the web.com Workshop on the web.com The book is an excellent study of material culture in the Pacific. The details on Malaitan shell wealth are the best I have seen... Lavishly produced and beautifully illustrated.' -- Journal of Pacific History Journal of Pacific History