Cultural Strategy of Solomon Islands

Cultural Diversity as Heritage of the Solomon Islands

At the request of the authorities of Solomon Islands and as a follow up of the Director-General's visit to the country in May 2010, a Workshop on the Cultural Strategy of Solomon Islands was held in Honiara from 18-21 October 2010. The Workshop was organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with the Solomon Islands National Commission for UNESCO.

The Workshop lasted four days and put emphasis on three important areas of the culture sector, namely, intangible cultural heritage (ICH), diversity of cultural expressions (DCE) and underwater cultural heritage (UCH). The Workshop addressed challenge and opportunities facing the Solomon Islands whose cultures with 87 different languages are at the crossroad between tradition and modernity. Their heritages are rich in its all dimensions and the country is a keeper of UCH from pre-historic Laputa potteries to 2nd WW wrecks. Like in many other countries, ICT rapidly introduced to the life of Solomon peoples has been impacting the emerging cultural industries in the country.

Cultural Strategy as a Platform for Coordination

The Workshop consisted of UNESCO presentations on the 3 Conventions, presentation by national experts on different aspects of their ICH (pin pipe music and dance, shark calling, customary laws, tattoo as traditional body arts, rituals for reconciliation), demonstration of ICH practices and skills (shell ornament/money making and bride prize ceremony) and small group exercise to prepare draft cultural strategy in each field of ICH, DCE, and UCH.

Need for Urgent Safeguarding Actions

Recognizing the opportunity presented by the 2003 Convention, the participants called for a careful approach to identify “representative” ICH in the context of Solomon Islands with diverse cultures. Strong interest in “Living Human Treasures” system was expressed as safeguarding measures at country level. Quite a few ICH masters in Solomon Islands already passed away without their knowledge and skills properly documented and transmitted to younger generations. The problem relating to obsolete technology used for ICH documentation in the past and weakening attachment among youth to ICH and associated cultural objects were identified as serious problems.

• Source:UNESCO Apia
• 26-10-2010