Solomon Islands - Food and Restaurants

The Solomon Islands have been greatly influenced by European powers since the 16th century. Tourists will be able to find plenty of international restaurants around the larger cities such as Honiara and Gizo. However, there are still spots where traditional cooking and cuisine can be found. The local food mainly consists of taro, coconuts,fish,and fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, international cuisine has become much more popular throughout the country. Most night life venues are located inside the city of Honiara. Tourists will be hard pressed to find a night spot outside of the capital city.

Bars and Pubbing in Solomon Islands

In Honiara, tourists should try Club 106 (Pacific Casino Hotel, Kakum Highway, Honiara) which is supposed to be the best night club in town. Alternatively, the Flamingo (Chinatown Honiara Hotel, Honiara, Solomon Islands) is a nice spot for those who want to dance to great music. Also, Bula Bar (Henderson Airport Motel, Honiara, Solomon Islands) is fine option, especially when traveling with a group of friends.

Theisland of Gizo is hometo just the one evening establishment. It is the Bamboo Karaoke Bar , which is foundinside the Gizo Hotel. Visitors can spend hours singing to their favorite tunes with a non - stop flow of alcoholic beverage sat their disposal.

Dining and Cuisine in Solomon Islands

Dinner in Honiara can be had at many fine establishment's. Club Havana (Chinaton Honiara Hotel, Honiara) is a delightful restaurant with a unique French flair. It is definitely worth a try.  

Capitana Restaurant (Mendana Avenue, Town Center, Honiara) is a Japanese dining venue. It happens to be one of the best restaurants in the Solomon Islands. The Point Cruz Yacht Club (Mendana Avenue, Town Center, Honiara) is home to the best steak dinners in the city, the reason why it is always crowded.

In Gizo, the Nuzu Nuzu Restaurant (Middenway Road,Gizo Hotel, Gizo) is among the most popular dining venues on the island of Gizo. A perfect lunch time establishment is PT109 (Middenway Road, Gizo, Gizo Island),which is a simple café named after John .F. Kennedy's sunken warship. Sometimes itis open for dinner. Even though Lamasa (Middenway Road, Gizo, Gizo Island)is closed on the weekends, and is very small,the food inside is simply divine.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Solomon Islands - History and Culture

The Solomon Islands is a fascinating archipelago. Not only are the local traditions and customs still very much practiced on a daily basis, but modern European influences are also found. The country is more renowned for its recent upheavals, which have been stopped for the time being.

History

At the time the first Europeans began visiting the Solomon Islands, the country was nothing more than separate Pacific islands notorious for cannibalism and head hunting. Spanish explorers were the first to visit the archipelago in the 16th century. It wasn't until 1893 that Britain declared the Solomon Islands as a protectorate. This was implemented to stop the 'blackbirding'trade, which saw many native islanders taken as slaves to the agricultural plantations of Fiji and Australia.

Over the next 10 years, more islands became part of the Solomon Islands British protectorate. By 1900, the areas formerly administered by Germany were handed over to the British. Missionaries, whose attempts to spread Christianity prior to 1893 led to revolts by locals, began to successfully convert the native population to Christianity. Large scale plantation firms also settled in the Solomon Islands at the beginning of the 20th century.

Coconut plantations became the main source of income for locals.

WWII saw the stoppage of most plantations across the Solomon Islands. Expatriate workers were forced to evacuate to Australia or New Zealand. Fierce battles, such as the Battle of Guadalcanal, raged on between 1942 and 1945. Many thousands of soldiers and native civilians lost their lives during the Solomon Islands campaign.Visiting the Guadalcanal American War Memorial is a must.

Following the war, the Solomon Islands enjoyed a more stable administration, resultingin the increase in governmental independence. However, it wasn't until 1976 that Britain granted the Solomon Islands full independence. This was greatly influenced by the independence of Papua New Guinea from Australia the year before.
However, since independence, the Solomon Islands have experienced anything but smooth sailing. Ethnic tensions led to civil unrest in the late 1990s and this is still simmering today. 

Large scale rioting rocked the capital, Honiara, in 2006, but eventually the violence was quelled thanks to intervention from the United Nations, led by Australian, New Zealand and Fijian forces. In 2007, a horrific tsunami and earthquake hit the archipelago, resulting in more than 50 deaths and millions of dollars in damage.Visit the National Museum of Solomon Islands (Mendana Avenue, Honiara) for further information about the country's history.

Culture

Due to European influences throughout the Solomon Islands' history, Christianity is the predominant faith in the country. More than 95 percent of the population follows some sort of Christianity, including South Seas Evangelists, and Catholics. Traditional culture is still prevalent throughout the country, but traditional life styles exist side -by- side with European influences.
In the rural areas of the country, tribal customs are the most important social norms. Traditional bartering systems are still used between many of the village areas. Even the village life is relatively similar to that of the time of pre - European arrival. Items are made from local leaves and grasses, and traditional music is still heard. In addition, the ancient form of the Solomon Islands dance can also be found.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Solomon Islands Holidays and Festivals

Solomon Islands holidays and festivals revolve around two main features – religion and culture. Throughout the calendar year, visitors will see some familiar celebrations, including Easter. However, there are plenty of fascinating festivals that highlight the cultural importance of the Solomon Islands' long history, such as the Spear Dancing Festival in Santa Catalina.

Easter Celebrations

Easter is an important celebration in most areas of the Solomon Islands, especially in larger cities when Christianity is practiced by the majority of the population. Honiara usually hosts a fun run during this day, and going to Mass is a wonderful way to get involved with the people.

Independence Day

This is one of the most important days of the year for locals. Independence Day in the Solomon Islands occurs on July 7 each year. Basically, thousands of natives flock to the capital city, Honiara. Here, a range of parades, performances and celebrations are held. Tourists will need to book a hotel in advance if they are going to travel to the capital during Independence Day celebrations.

Festival of Pacific Arts

Held every four year, the Festival of Pacific Arts is hosted by a different Pacific country each time. The Solomon Islands hosted this festival in July 2012. The event highlights the best of the Pacific's many cultures and the unique arts that stem from these. Auki, Gizo, and Honiara are the main hosts.

Spear Dancing Festival

Tourists should head to Santa Catalina in the month of May, as this is when the Spear Dancing Festival is held annually. Spear dancing is an important cultural feature for natives from the Solomon Islands. The event is one of the more exciting cultural displays experienced throughout the year.

Honiara Marathon

In the month of September, Honiara will host a popular marathon. The event is organized by the local government, but is sponsored by the country's only national carrier, Solomon Airlines. Many runners from all over the Pacific come to the capital for this run.

Lagoon Festival

Held in the month of October, the Lagoon Festival is a spectacular event which sees traditional canoe races and a host of other competitions take place. There is an open water swim, and the Tie Va Rani Triathlon is held too.

Christmas

On the 25 December, Christmas brings much joy to the people of the Solomon Islands. Most locals will move back to their home towns outside of Honiara, or visit relatives who live in the rural areas. Honiara becomes quiet for a few days. Nevertheless, churches and community halls usually hold an event or gathering on Christmas, so tourists shouldn't feel left out.

New Year's Eve

Most of the celebrations for New Year are around Honiara. However, the resorts around the country, especially beach resorts, generally organize something for tourists. If visitors find themselves along Mendana Avenue in Honiara, they should keep an eye on personal possessions, particularly when a crowd is around.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Samoan Food Culture

Samoa is a group of islands in the South Pacific, home to some of the smiliest people in the world. Samoan people love to joke around, sing, dance and are serious about three things in life: God, family and food.

Every major life event is marked with a feast, and every Sunday we have to'ona'i, which is lunch with a capital L. It's the only meal of the day, with people waking up in the wee hours of the morning to get it cooked in time for church, and to'ona'i is usually so filling that all we do afterwards is sleep.

Samoans don't skimp on regular weekday meals either. Roasted chicken, homemade vegetable soups, smoky bbq and fresh fish salad ( ota) were all regulars on my family's menu. My parents weren't exactly rolling in money (ask me later what a fa'alavelave is), but there was always plenty of food on the table.

I used to think that Samoan cooking was simple because the ingredients seemed limited and there appeared to be lots of variations on a theme, like coconut cream covered taro, coconut cream covered yams, coconut cream covered potatoes. I now realise that Samoan cooking is quite versatile, surviving wherever a bunch of Samoans would decide to settle, and the ingredients are actually quite flexible, adaptable to any local produce and meats.

Samoan food today shows some clear historical influences, mostly European and Chinese. Classic dishes like
umu (oven-pit-baked food), sapasui
(chop suey), and puligi (pudding) have not changed much over the last few decades, whereas some dishes have not stood the test of time, such as suamasi (cracker soup). (Please raise your hand if you eat suamasi, because I personally don't know of any Samoan that does.)

Of course, no cuisine can stay static, and there are some exciting developments being made by Samoans overseas and by foreign chefs based in the islands. 

For instance, check out Joe Lam's poi and recipes such as Mango-Spiced Chicken from the Samoan section of Sam Choy's Polynesian Kitchen . Never saw these on my childhood dining table, but it really is inspirational stuff.

If you are Samoan or lived a Samoan life, I hope to hear what dishes you grew up eating. If you are just interested in Samoan food, I hope you give some of these recipes a go. I'm sure your tastebuds will be pleasantly surprised.

Manuia,

panipopos

*culled from www.samoafood.com

Samoan Wedding Traditions

The Samoan culture is all about friendship and family and there are few occasions for celebration which beat a wedding for getting all of those nearest and dearest together, which is why a 

wedding in Samoa is a truly big deal!

Samoan Engagements

Social standing is extremely important in Samoan communities, so although couples might make their own love matches, it has to be with someone of equal social standing so that their families will consent to the match. This approval is absolutely essential, and once granted, gifts will be passed between the families to demonstrate their unity, respect and equality. As such, the whole dating process is much more like ancient �courting� practices: the couple are usually only together in the presence of other members of the families, until the time of the actual wedding.

Because Samoan families understand the need to have everyone together to bond both of the families, as much as to see their children united in marriage, the costs are usually shared between both families, as a Samoan wedding has a real �go large� factor and can be extremely expensive!

Samoan Wedding Ceremonies

Most weddings are faith based � usually a range of versions of Christianity, Mormon or Bahai. As such, the wedding may take place in the relevant local church or chapel, or outdoors, with a simple ceremony which usually lasts no longer than an hour.

It�s custom for the reception to immediately follow the wedding. This is customarily held at the home of the bride�s family but because these events can involve so many people, most receptions take place outside.

Just like Cuban and Jamaican weddings, having a large feast served by both families is a key part of celebrating this new whole family unity, but there are several unique customs which come into play with the feasting:

♥ Guests are seated according to their status and once all the guests have arrived, the bride then honors them with a traditional dance, before they can start eating.

♥ Guests are traditionally served by representatives of both families, usually older children. They serve the guests in order of their social status (in relation to the families and to the community, if the wedding�s a big community affair)!

♥ The emphasis is on �plenty� as a show of generosity and social standing, so there is usually far too much food. It�s fully expected that guests will bring along their own children, not to join the feast, but to bring baskets, which the children fill with food and then take home for later!

♥ The centerpiece of a traditional 

Samoan wedding feast is the wedding cake. Like the American and European wedding cake, the Samoan wedding cake is also tiered � but not just vertically, it also extends horizontally across the table! The custom is that the cake will be cut and served for guests at the wedding, but again in order of social standing. These outward extending layers are kept whole and presented to special guests (usually those of high social standing in the local community).

Samoan Wedding Partying!

♥ The cake is served after the main feast, but first the best man is required to give his speech to the seated guests. His speech usually includes blessings to the couple.
Instead of the subtle envelopes of wedding gift giving in other cultures, like at Chinese and Japanese weddings, to help off-set the costs of the wedding, the Samoan tradition is for the new couple (and their families) to bestow gifts upon their guests as part of the reception (usually after the feasting).

The general custom is that the gifts relate to the social standing of the recipient and help the new couple to establish their own new family position in the community. The range of this gift giving is one of the things which makes a Samoan wedding so expensive for the families involved and it�s not uncommon for them to ask everyone in the family, including distant relatives, to help by chipping in a donation towards the costs of these celebrations!

Having a bit of gift-giving after the feasting helps the guests to have a bit of quiet �digestion� time too, because once the gifts are handed over, traditional Samoan music, dancing and celebrations will start in earnest. It�s custom for the party to go on well into the night!

Samoan Wedding Clothes

The Samoans have a very distinct tradition in relation to bridal attire on the day, which is fully rooted in both sides of the family wanting to be a part of this important aspect of the bride�s day and also about wanting her to look her very best! It�s customary in Samoa for the bride to have two wedding outfits: one for the ceremony and one for the wedding reception.

So, tradition holds that the families on both sides will present her with different choices of dresses for the day, as a gift to her. A diplomatic bride will of course choose one dress from either side of the family, one each to wear for the different parts of the day!

As the majority of weddings are versions of a traditional Christian wedding ceremony, the actual ceremony dress is likely to be a white wedding gown and veil. The bride will literally change out of this dress once the ceremony is over, so that she can attend the reception in her second gown.

Unique Traditions

♥ Now then, there�s an old tradition which largely no longer exists (although it may in more remote village communities) The thing is, it�s customary for the bride to be a virgin before her marriage, so of course the wedding night activities are seen as the ultimate test of this. Once the couple go off to bed, it would be on a bed covered with pristine white sheets.

It was then customary for women of both families to, er � watch the activities (at a discreet distance) and then check the sheets after the event! Because a lack of blood as evidence would bring great shame on the bride�s family, it�s not unheard of for one of the bride�s female relative to carry a small knife and a chicken so that they could ensure some blood would be present!

♥ If you happen to be visiting a Samoan village when a wedding is taking place, it�s not unexpected to be invited along to join in the fun. The Samoans are tremendously hospitable and happily include visiting tourists in the event, and joining in respectfully is a way of honouring both the families and the Samoan culture.

♥ If you�re marrying in Samoa but don�t know too much about local wedding traditions, it�s worth investigating carefully. You need to honor the right guests and not muddle Samoan customs with Hawaiian ones, as failing to honor the right people and reflecting Hawaiians, rather than Samoan customs, is considered something of an insult in Samoan culture!

♥ It�s worth being aware that if a non-Samoan man marries into a Samoan family, he is expected to provide for the whole family � even if this means bringing all of them, as well as his new bride, back to his homeland with him.

*culled from www.best-country.com

Samoa Holidays and Festivals

Samoa holidays include various festivals and events that fall across a range of categories. Tourists can enjoy traditional, cultural, sporting, and religious events throughout the year. The Teuila Festival is certainly one of the most inspiring events on the calendar. It falls in the month of September, celebrating the cultural splendor that echoes throughout Samoa. When it comes to music, the Apia Jazz Festival is the pinnacle event of the year.

Apia Arts and Crafts Festival

The Apia Arts and Crafts Fair is a busy festival every March. It is located in the capital city of Samoa, and not only focuses on local artistic talent, but also traditional handicrafts from across the nine islands of Samoa. Visitors should head to the local markets in Apia to experience this event at its best.

Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament

In the month of April, Samoa plays host to the International Game Fishing Tournament. The event actually spans across an entire week, encompassing the final days of April and the first few days of May. The abundance of clear skies, beautiful waters, and challenging game fish species makes Samoa a perfect spot for this famous tournament.

Fire Knife Festival

The interesting Fire Knife Festival is part of the much more renowned Samoa Festival, which is held in the month of May. The competition is held in the Polynesian Cultural Center, and includes both adult entrants and high school entrants. Of course, there are plenty of other traditional cultural displays found throughout the event.

Fautasi Outrigger Canoe

One of the best sporting events in the country is the Fautasi Outrigger Canoe competition. Occurring in the month of June, this outrigger race has become the most loved water race in Samoa. The competition begins at the north coast of Upolu, but then ends at Apia Harbor. Twelve long boats compete in the event each year.

Independence Day

On the 31 May every year, Samoa celebrates its independence from New Zealand administration. The entire country gets into the festive mood on this day, with traditional dances, artwork, cuisine, and music available for all locals and tourists. Even the smaller villages get into the spirit of this occasion, so visitors can enjoy Samoan Independence wherever they stay.

Tafesilafa'i Festival

Held over the last 16 years, the Tafesilafa'i Festival is a celebration of Pacific Island culture. Tourists flock from all over the Pacific to witness the cultural spectacle that is Tafesilafa'i. The event begins at the end of July and spans the first week of August. More than 28,000 visitors come for part or all of the festival each year.

Teuila Festival

Teuila Festival is Samoa's main event. A range of fascinating cultural happenings are found during September's Teuila Festival, including cuisine displays, traditional dance performances, canoe racing and more. The event usually lasts for several days, and is most prevalent in the capital city of Samoa, Apia.

Apia Jazz Festival

Jazz performers are drawn to Apia in September, as this is when the city hosts its annual Jazz Festival. Several different spots are home to the best in jazz music during this month. Even some of the more famous jazz musicians from across the globe love to make their way to Samoa for the event.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Food In Papua New Guinea

The traditional Papua New Guinean diet is largely vegetarian. Pigs and chickens are typically only eaten on special occasions. In areas where communities live near rivers, fish, crab and crayfish form a substantial part of people's daily diet.

Taro, sago and yams are the three major staples of the Papua New Guinean diet. In certain areas the yam is cultivated to reach enormous lengths and will sometimes be carved with elaborate patterns. Yams are often displayed in festivals and are connected to ideas about fertility and ancestral power. Yams such as these are highly prized, and not intended to be eaten.

Sago is a starchy substance obtained from the sago palm. Sago is extracted from the trunk of the palm, and pounded with blunt wooden implements into a very versatile powder that can be easily stored to be used when needed.

Another food source from this plant is the sago grub, which is eaten raw as a special delicacy.

Harvested food is often carried and stored in large string bags, known as billums. In some areas Billums are hung from carved wooden hooks, which are often made with the image of an ancestor or spirit figure who looks over the bags and protects their contents. 

The hooks also suspend the food well away from the ground, protecting it from animals such as rats.

*culled from www.cultureofthecountryside.com

The Bride Price Tradition In Papua New Guinea By Maureen Gerawa

Store goods and garden produce
for bride price 

New Guinea. Incidents of domestic violence are common in Papua New Guinea (PNG), a Pacific Island state of about 7 million people. But some cases are so horrific that they have made headlines in the country's media.

One such story concerns Joanne (not her real name) from the capital city of Port Moresby whose husband attempted to cut off her leg over a small matter. Although he had beaten her up many times in the past during arguments or when he was angry, this time he went beyond. He defended his actions by claiming that he could treat his wife as he pleased because he had paid a bride price for her.

The custom of paying a bride price—in which the groom or his family gives money, property, or other forms of compensation to his fiancé or wife—is found in various parts of Asia and Africa. In PNG, the tradition is practiced in some parts of this culturally diverse country and can range from payments in the form of livestock and small amounts of cash to large sums of money, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. Historically, the function of a bride price was to provide compensation to the family of the bride, who would typically move in with her new husband's family. In more recent times, it has also been described as providing a disincentive for divorce, since the husband would have to pay another bride price when seeking a new wife.

The amount of a bride price is set by the groom and his relatives, and the parents of some women have complained about receiving low prices for their daughters. Certain wealthy individuals, however, view the setting of a bride price as a type of competition with their friends and acquaintances. In Central Province, some reportedly have paid more than K100,000 ($US33, 000) excluding the cost for various food and other items exchanged between the brides' and grooms' families. Two women living with wealthy, abusive men say that their husbands have told them that they will make their wives' families repay their high bride prices if they leave. "I know my parents cannot afford it, and I do not want to put them under pressure," says one.

According to a November 2015 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report titled Bashed Up: Family Violence in Papua New Guinea, the exact number of women who experience domestic violence is unknown. However, a 1992 PNG government survey—the most recent of its kind—found that it occurs in about two-thirds of all households. 

The report adds that "bride price sends a message that women are property"—which, many would conclude, increases the likelihood of domestic violence.

PNG has recently taken steps to address this abuse. In 2013, parliament unanimously adopted the Family Protection Act, which criminalizes domestic violence and provides penalties of up to two years in prison; however, implementing regulations are still being drafted. Other signs of progress include a new hotline that has been established to refer victims to appropriate aid services, and a government strategy that is being developed to handle gender-based violence. Yet despite such positive developments, obtaining justice for victims remains difficult, partly because some law enforcement officials do not take the crime seriously, and government-run legal and social services are often limited and underfunded.

Photo Credit - AD Bank

According to a report by Chief Inspector David Kola of the police department's Family Sexual Violence Unit, the greatest challenge that law enforcement officials face in pursuing such cases is that women often withdraw their complaints against their perpetrators. 

Most victims in PNG, where domestic violence is widely seen as a private and even shameful matter, do not seek help because they fear damaging their family's reputation. Economic concerns are also a factor: many women depend on their husbands for financial support, and bride prices are customarily repaid if the wife leaves her husband, even if she is abused. In rural areas, the situation is compounded by high rates of illiteracy and limited access to health care, social services, and law enforcement agencies.

Joanne was one of the lucky ones. With the support of her parents, who are helping care for her six children, she told her story to the media which led to her husband being arrested and charged Now separated from her husband, against whom she has a restraining order, Joanne feels safer in the belief that he will not harm her again because he fears facing further humiliation in the media.

Meanwhile, popular attitudes are a factor in downplaying any connection between the bride price tradition and domestic abuse. No less than the country's prime minister, Peter O'Neil, shares a widely held view that the practice of paying a bride price is not a factor in the country's high rates of domestic violence.

Many Papua New Guineans support continuing the practice for social and cultural reasons, though some caution against its misuse. A journalist from Tari in the Southern Highlands province, who says that he was glad to pay a bride price for his wife, believes that the tradition makes men more responsible, particularly as the breakdown of marriages becomes increasingly common. "It's a ceremony; it's part of our culture. You just cannot get the girl and go. You have to be man enough to do the right thing and pay a bride price." But he also stresses his opposition to using the practice as an excuse to abuse one's wife.

A librarian in her late 40s, whose daughter received a bride price, defends the practice by saying that not all men who have paid high prices abuse their wives. In addition, she notes that a man who does not pay a bride price will face criticism from both his wife's and his own family members. She also cites cultural reasons for maintaining the tradition. "I think we want to keep [the practice], because if a man does not pay a bride price, when [his wife] dies, her body will be taken back to be buried on her parents' land. 

After the man pays a bride price, she belongs to him. So when she dies, she will be buried on her husband's land."

A woman named Marilyn Paul, who is from the Southern and Western Highlands provinces, says that a bride price is like a marriage contract. While it can be very expensive, without one, "you're saying that your marriage is not recognized." Her sister, who has been happily married for the last year, received a bride price because her new husband wanted to show his appreciation and respect for his wife's family; he paid K 30,000 (US$ 9,9000) and also gave his new wife 35 pigs, 2 cows, and 2 cassowary birds (relatives of ostriches).

Although Paul supports continuing the tradition, she adds that it is often abused. "I think the best thing is to understand why one has to pay [a bride price]. [Men] should understand that [paying it] does not give you the right to abuse your wife, but to appreciate her and her family."

*culled from www.wafmag.org

Papua New Guinea Holidays and Festivals

Much of the Papua New Guinea holiday and festival calendar is taken up with cultural events. This is primarily due to the fact that Papua New Guinea has more than 700 different tribal cultures existing within the country. The Mount Hagen Show is a tremendous event that has been celebrated for more than 60 years. Another dynamic event is the famous Goroka Show, an impressive festival that lasts two days and draws almost 150,000 visitors to the central-Highland town of Goroka.

Mt Hagen Show

No other attraction or event puts Papua New Guinea's magnificent culture on show than the Mt Hagen Show. First held in the 1950s, this event takes place every July at the Kagamuga Show Grounds. Mt Hagen comes alive with thousands of performers, while spectators come to marvel at the dancing, music, and colorful atmosphere.

Tumbuan Mask Festival

First beginning in 1995, the Tumbuan Mask Festival puts the ever-impressive mask making culture of PNG into the spotlight. Rabaul, the largest city's island region, hosts this festival for three days each July.

Crocodile Festival

Held in the region of East Sepik, this fascinating festival celebrates the significance of crocodiles to PNG. The Sepik River, one of the region's purest waterways, is home to a plethora of saltwater and freshwater crocodile communities. The Crocodile Festival takes place over two days in August, and aims to highlight the conservation needs of the stunning but scary reptile.

Enga Cultural Show

Enga Province is rich in cultural splendor, and tourists should not miss the Enga Cultural Show if in the PNG in August. Visitors get an insight into local culture through dance performances, music, arts and crafts workshops, and ritual performances, all held within the Enga Show Grounds.

Goroka Show

For three days in September, Goroka hosts one of the largest events in Papua New Guinea's calendar. Established in the 1950s, the Goroka Show draws in more than 140,000 people every year. Kundu drums can be heard throughout the event, and thousands of dancers throng to the beat.

Hiri Moale Festival

Used to commemorate the traditional trading routes between several south-west villages, the Hiri Moale Festival takes place within the city of Port Moresby, especially around Ela Beach and the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Music, canoe racing, dances, and an arts and crafts competition make up most of the September activities.

Morobe Province Agricultural Show

This interesting show takes place within the city of Lae, Papua New Guinea's second-most populated urban area. A range of agriculture and agriculture-related displays can be enjoyed at the event, including poultry, traditional architecture, rural subsistence farming displays, and school group exhibits. The festival is held across three days in September.

Papua New Guinea Arts and Cultural Festival

Held over two days in November, the Papua New Guinea Arts and Cultural Festival is a national celebration of the country's vast cultural make-up. A host of traditional performances, dance, and music are complemented by modern displays, as local artists also get an opportunity to share their talents. The celebration is centered around the Port Moresby's Sir John Guise Stadium.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Palau Holidays and Festivals

Palau doesn't hold a large number of celebrations and events throughout the year. However, there are some that will interest travelers, especially if they are coming from the US. Several major American holidays are recognized and celebrated here, with Thanksgiving the most popular event among locals and expatriates alike. Of course, Palau's Independence Day is fondly celebrated by citizens each year and is often regarded as the most important day on the Palau holiday calendar.

International Photo Festival

Held during March, the International Photo Festival has featured on the Palau calendar since 2002. This underwater photography festival lures many world-renowned nature photographers to the archipelago each year. Most dive shops around Palau are invited to the event, so tourists need only make reservations with local dive operators to enjoy this festival.

Earth Day

Earth Day, which falls on April 22 each year, is a magnificent celebration of Mother Nature. It is celebrated around the world, but with Palau's heavy reliance on a healthy Mother Nature, the island hold this day in high regard. There are always plenty of awareness campaigns and Koror becomes an even greater buzz than it usually is.

Constitution Day

This day is celebrated across Palau. Although most of the festivities are found in the city of Koror and the capital district known as Ngerulmud, the entire country experiences a holiday on this day. Constitution Day, which falls on July 9 each year, commemorates the signing of the Nuclear-free Constitution in 1981.

Independence Day

After many years of civil unrest, Palau finally experienced peace after becoming independent on October 1, 1994. Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country on this day every year. It is both a working and school holiday. Most of the activities and performances on this day are found in the largest city of Palau, Koror.

Thanksgiving

Palau boasts a very American culture, and therefore many North American holidays are celebrated on the islands. However, one of the most famous holidays held during the year is Thanksgiving. This food-filled event, celebrated on the last Thursday in November, is well catered for across the country. However, most of the local restaurants and dining options that serve Thanksgiving meals are found on the islands around Koror.

Palau Challenge – Belau Triathlon

The island of Koror is home to the Palau Challenge, which is organized by the Belau Triathlon Federation. It is an exciting and popular event that has been held for about five years. It includes several disciplines and races, including open ocean swimming, a triathlon, and cycling events. The program is open to anyone fit enough to enjoy the beauty of Palau via a long and arduous triathlon. It occurs on December 1 and December 2 annually.

Christmas

Like all other Christian nations around the globe, Christmas is celebrated in Palau on December 25. Tourists will be able to enjoy a wide range of festivities leading up to this magnificent day, especially around the many churches in Palau. Following Christmas comes New Year's Eve, which is a fun yet expensive time on the islands.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

New Zealand Wedding Traditions

New Zealand Engagements

Like neighboring Australia, New Zealand is a vast and beautiful country, which enjoys some fabulous rural and coastal landscapes and a culture rich with native as well as borrowed influences.

In modern New Zealand, couples of course meet, fall in love and decide to become engaged of their own free will. However, in some periods of its history, for example back in colonial days, it might have been custom for a suitor to request permission from the father-of-the-bride before popping the question, but this is not a regular custom which has remained.

In New Zealand's native Maori society, weddings many would customarily have been arranged within and between tribes, although it was also possible for some couples to fall in love and decide to marry  but they would need the blessing of the tribal elders to do so. Many of the ancient Maori tribes were fiercely territorial as land was very important. So it was quite common for a tribe to integrate with a tribe they had been defeated, by inter-marrying to establish a stronger tribe and hold onto the land they had gained.

Other beliefs, customs and roles relating to marriage (including who pays for what both before and after the event) have largely followed trends in the West. For example during colonial days, New Zealand's wedding customs would largely have followed those in British society (and certainly the legal aspects would have been bound by British Common Law).

As such, New Zealand has had periods of time when marriages were organized between families of rank, to help maintain their wealth and status in society. And as well, there were as times when it was customary for the father of the bride to pay for everything whilst her mother organized it all! Today, New Zealand is largely a part of most international wedding trends, for example with couples now mostly funding their own weddings.

New Zealand brides had their own version of a bridal shower or the Trousseau Tea of the Canadian-French. In New Zealand, this was known as the Kitchen Tea, where the bride and her female friends and relatives would spend time together working out what her new kitchen needed and then they would supply her with the items.

The custom has largely given way to the more fun element of a full-on hen party whilst those New Zealand grooms-to-be have always enjoyed stag events prior to their nuptials!

New Zealand Wedding Ceremonies

Most wedding ceremonies in New Zealand are traditional church weddings, the format of which is mostly a legacy from European and Christian settlers. As such, many couples adhere to the old British superstition of it being unlucky for the groom to see his bride in the run up to the wedding, so the groom usually meets his bride at the church on the day, when she is customarily given away by her father at the wedding.

Traditional Maori weddings, delightful ceremonies between couples with a native heritage may still follow deeply rooted customs and ceremonies. However, to have a legal marriage in New Zealand, the marriage must be performed by a minister of religion, as recognized in New Zealand's marriage Act of 1908.

Additional legislation, the Maori Purposes Act in 1951 meant that traditional native weddings were less recognized by society and all citizens were required to have that traditional church service in order to be legal and for children to have legitimate status.

So, where one or both of the couple have Maori heritage they might choose to include customary elements into their wedding day, such as by including blessings given in native Maori. The couple might also decide to include the customary Maori-style exchange of rings. We are not talking bands of gold here, instead ceremonial wedding rings of bone or greenstone are used.

These represent an important heritage symbol for the Maori people, as well as being symbolic of the marriage, of course. These rings, known as infinity loops are carved to absolute circular perfection and just like that perfect gold band of other cultures represent the enduring cycle of the couple's love.

Civil wedding ceremonies are also a marriage option for New Zealand couples and these have their own customs dating back to the 19th century when settlers might have had easier access to civil governance than to local churches and ministers.

In such cases, the couple would obtain a licence and along with two witnesses attend a ceremony held in a register office or registered building. Nowadays, civil venues are also a popular choice but have taken on a grander status and include some of the magnificent backdrops of the New Zealand cities, landscapes and of course fabulous coastlines!

New Zealand Wedding Partying!

Socialization and partying has always been an essential element of a New Zealand wedding whether from native Maori origins or from later influences, it has always been culturally well understood that the party helps both sides of the new family to bond and that getting everyone to relax, eat and drink together will help them to do this, as well as having a chance to pay respects and offer congratulations and blessings to the couple for their day!

New Zealand weddings are currently (since approximately the start of the 21st century) developing a new tradition of an extra day of celebrations, with the two families getting together on the day after the ceremony too!

The wedding meal after the ceremony is often still known as the wedding breakfast from the British influence of weddings are traditionally still being held in the morning. Nowadays, most weddings take place later in the day and the parties go on well into the night!

The couple will usually take to the floor for the customary first dance together, watched by their wedding guests. Again, a modern twist to this is that the couple may arrange something special for this, particularly if they have Maori roots or want to wow their guests in some way!

New Zealand Wedding Clothes

Just like Australia, wedding wear in New Zealand is influenced by the church custom of a white wedding, with the bride customarily wearing a full white wedding gown. Not all grooms stick with the traditional dark suit though many prefer a gray suit as this is cooler on the day than a black outfit in that scorching New Zealand sun!

Where one or both of the couple have Maori heritage, it is not unusual for them to wear customary white wedding attire for the wedding ceremony and then change into more traditional dress for the reception although this might well depend on the venue for the wedding. A beach-side wedding for example, could easily see them wearing traditional costume throughout, should they choose.

Unique Traditions

Right up until 1994, it was required by law that a wedding in New Zealand had to be conducted with the door open to allow easy access in case anybody objects that moment! Or maybe the open door was for a quick exit by a red-faced bride or groom, perhaps.

It is now quite customary for New Zealand couples to include their own vows and ideas in their wedding rites, although many do stick with the traditional Anglican vows, where the bride promises to obey and serve.

Pacific Island weddings often have their own very distinct traditions and customs too. It is particularly a large community or family affair where everyone chips in to render help for many couples. If you are marrying or attending a wedding on one of the Pacific Islands close to New Zealand, it is certainly worth checking out the local wedding customs too!

*culled from www.best-country.com

New Zealand Holidays and Festivals

There are plenty of local and national New Zealand holidays and festivals throughout the year and the ones listed below are just the tip of the iceberg. are plenty of local and national New Zealand holidays and festivals throughout the year and the ones listed below are just the tip of the iceberg. Try to see at least see one Maori celebration during your visit. New Zealander's love their food and wine and visitors will find that many of the events revolve around the fresh seafood and world-class wineries!

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival

In May, visitors flock to Bluff on the southern point of the South Island to enjoy the freshest oysters in New Zealand and all kinds of other seafood delicacies. There is plenty of entertainment such as oyster shucking, blindfolded competitions and live music.

Queenstown Winter Festival

In June, visitors and locals head to Queenstown to see international skiers race and perform during this popular festival. The celebration marks the beginning of the winter season and has taken place every year since 1975. There are fairs, parades, and shows topped off by an amazing fireworks display.

Matariki Festival

One of the most interesting cultural events is the Maori New Year. When the so-called Matariki star rises, the Maori celebrations begin. In Auckland, visitors can enjoy a range of traditional concerts, art and dancing.

Rally New Zealand

Word class rally car drivers and teams come to Auckland in August to race through the harsh New Zealand terrain. First held in Taupo in 1969, the event has been moved to Canterbury on the North Island since 1971. It forms part of the FIA Rally Championship calendar and is a must-see for car lovers.

Gisborne Wine & Food Festival

Nestled in the middle of New Zealand's wine region on the east coast, the Gisborne Wine & Food Festival is a must over Labor Day weekend in October. Visitors can taste some of the best local wines while enjoying great music and food. Tickets for the event need to be purchased in advance.

Wellington International Jazz Festival

Jazz enthusiasts will love the International Jazz Festival, which takes place in November every year. For one week, enjoy a range of international musicians coming from all over the world.

Auckland Marathon

The Auckland marathon is held annually in October (sometimes early November). Known for crossing Auckland Harbor which requires a 108 foot climb, the New Zealand race attracts about 9,000 runners from around the globe.

Caroline Bay Carnival

Running for roughly three weeks in December, enjoy music, dancing, rides and acts, culminating with a big fireworks display.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

Nauru - Marriage and Family

Marriage : A couple intending to marry must be from different clan groups, and they must seek approval of their respective district councillors. Most marriages take place in church though today there are a few common-law marriages. Divorce is uncommon, but separation is more frequent, especially for Catholic couples. The birth of a child must be registered if the child is to receive the rights of being Nauruan, even if the birth takes place outside of Nauru.

Domestic Unit : The family unit consists of a wide group of relatives on both the father's and mother's side. Adoption is relatively common, especially by a Nauruan who has no children of his or her own. If accepted by the community, an adopted relative receives the same rights to land and residence as does a blood relative. A Nauruan household is likely to comprise an older couple with one or more married children and grandchildren, for an average size of eight persons per household.

Inheritance : Rights to land, useful trees, goods, songs, dances, and all other possessions are passed on from parents to all children, both natural and adopted.

Socialization : Children are much loved and treated with care and affection by both parents and all members of the Domestic unit. Schooling is highly valued by parents, who may make financial sacrifices to send daughters and sons to secondary schools in Australia and New Zealand. Children are raised to think of themselves as Nauruans and to speak the Nauruan language.

*culled from www.everyculture.com

Nauru Holidays and Festivals

The biggest Nauru holidays are Independence Day, the day Nauru was officially declared a free republic, and Constitution Day, the day the island's constitution was signed. Both of these historic events took place in 1968. Another important holiday is Angam Day, when the population mark hit 1,500, required to continue the survival of its people. Sporting competitions play important parts in several island festivals.

Independence Day

Each January 31, the people of Nauru celebrate the anniversary of the day the island officially became the tiniest independent republic on Earth by hoisting flags, singing the national anthem and speeches made by local politicians. The holiday begins with a fishing competition followed by wrestling matches, tug of war and other lively sporting events. A clean-up competition also takes place among the island's districts.

Constitution Day

Less than four months after Nauru became an independent country, they signed their first constitution on May 17, 1968. Sports competitions take place throughout the island to mark this important event in its history, and the day begins with a colorful team parade. The last day is the national track and field championships, where athletes run on a crushed coral track that coincides with Constitution Day. The national track and field champions go on to compete against other athletes from across the South Pacific.

National Youth Day

Although September 25 is Nauru's official Youth Day, the island's young people host island-wide activities throughout the week. This emphasis is on healthy living and active pursuits on the island infamous for having the world's largest percentage of obesity. Volleyball, tug of war and a relay race around the Nauru International Airport airstrip are just some of the competitions held during this vibrant festival.

Angam Day

While many other countries worry about overpopulation, Nauru must maintain a number of at least 1,500 residents in order for its people to survive for generations to come. The island's population plummeted to barely over 1,000 people following dysentery and influenza epidemics during the first two decades of the 20th century. The baby who pushed the island's population back up to 1,500 entered the world on October 26, 1932, and her birthday has been a national holiday ever since. After the original Angam baby became one of approximately 500 Nauruans who perished during a WWII evacuation to the island of Chuuk, a second Angam baby was born in 1949. The word angam translates roughly to "celebration" or "homecoming" in English.

*culled from www.iexplore.com

MICRONESIA

ASPECTS OF PALAU

According to legend the islands of Palau once comprised a single large land mass. On this land mass, there lived a very unusual man called Uab. When he was a child, he did not play with other children but was simply content to eat large amount of food and to sleep. Even when he was very young, he would eat much more than the adults and soon he grew to be enormous. The older he got the more he ate and it was not long before he was eating all of his food that his family could produce. After that, he consumed all of the food of his neighbours as well. He continued to grow larger and larger and he had to move out of his house because it was too small for his gigantic body. Day after day, week after week, and year after year, Uab continued to grow. By then he was eating all of the food in the community and the people were starving just to feed the ever hungry Uab.

Finally, they decided to do something otherwise they would all starve to death. They had a meeting and decided that they would burn the gigantic Uab by building a large fire around him. This they did and the fire raged around the giant who remained upright but at last he toppled and fell into the fire. As he hit the ground, he gave a huge kick with his enormous foot and pushed Peleliu away from Angaur, where it remains today. The partly submerged body of the fallen giant then formed the islands of Palau. His legs became Koror, his penis became Aimeliik next to Koror which today has the most rainy weather. The stomach of the giant formed Ngiwal, which is very rich in food crops, and his head rested in Ngerchelong, whose people are known for their intelligence.

The legend of Uab the giant explains why the Palau islands are separated and why the people of each of the islands have different characteristics.

FARMING ON PALAU

Farming on Palau is characterized by communal planting, women farmers, and individual cultivation. Women attend to the farming on Palau. Most of the food is raised by individual families and farming is occasionally done without the help of others in the community. The land is usually worked by a group of women from a community to come together for this purpose. The main food cultivated is taro with other foods such as sweet potato, tapioca, bananas and breadfruit being an important part of the diet.

Communal farming is initiated by a leader. When a high ranking woman in the community sees that the families will run low on food, she calls a special meeting of all the women in the community. She makes them aware of the problem and informs them that it is time to cultivate the land. The women will work together as a group on each farm and a date will be set to begin work. At this time, it will be decided on which family's farm to start work and a schedule is developed for each of the farms in the community. According to Palauan custom, all women will be required to work and to cooperate with each other until the planting has been completed. If a woman does not work without substantial reason such as pregnancy, she will be severely criticized by the community.

When all the planting has been completed, each individual is responsible for the upkeep of her land. The crop that is harvested will not be shared, but will become the property of each family.

THE FEMALE TARO FARMERS OF PALAU

Preparation of the land for planting of taro is normally done as soon as it is cleared of sticks, branches and stumps. The women turn over the soil by hand and in doing so, insert a fertilizer which mainly comprises the leaves of hibiscus and other trees available near the taro swamps. After the soil has been prepared, the water is drained from the area to facilitate planting and mulching. 

The planting materials comprise the stalks from previous taro crops which are inserted into the prepared patch and at the same time, banana leaves are used to mulch the entire patch. On Palau, it is believed that the banana leaves will help in controlling weeds from spreading.

After this process, water is reintroduced after about a week and one or two inches of it is maintained in the patch. This supplies the required moisture for the taro plant as well as controlling weeds, rats and snails.

MARRIAGE CUSTOMS ON PALAU

In Palauan custom, a man will first discuss his wishes with the girl he wants to marry. If she is agreeable, then he must depend on relatives to help him get permission from the girl's parents. If either set of parents is not in favour of the marriage, then it will not go ahead. If both parents agree, however, then the man will have certain traditional responsibilities. Should the man's parents not agree, one reason for this may be that the girl does not have enough Palauan money.

According to custom, the man wishing to marry must ask a cousin, his father, or another important relative to accompany him to the girl's home. The reason for this is that elders are very respected in the Palauan custom. When the relative and the man enters the house, they will both sit close to the door with the suitor sitting to the left. When the girl's parents see this, they will know that the purpose of the visit is to discuss marriage. If the discussion is concluded successfully, the relative will then leave the house and the man will remain at the home of his future bride.

After a month or two, the parents of the girl will prepare food, and this will be sent with the couple intending to marry to the home of the man. Before this, the parents of the man will be notified so that they can call a family together. When the food is accepted, the marriage ceremony is agreed upon.

For the wedding ceremony, friends and all members of both the families will gather together. At this time, there is no singing or dancing. People will just sit and talk while the man's parents and real sisters are giving Palauan money to the bride's parents. In paying this money, it shows to everybody that the couple are really married.

For the marriage feast, the bride's relatives will prepare a large amount of food and will slaughter a pig for the groom's relatives. Also at this time, the relatives of the groom will collect money and present it to the bride's relatives. The Palauan way of celebrating marriage is similar to a farewell party for after the marriage, the young woman will no longer be part of her family and will live with her husband at his home. The food from the bride's relatives and the money from the groom's relatives should always be of equal value. Also, at wedding feasts, clan status is a consideration.

Following the marriage, the couple will usually stay at the home of the husband or with his parents if he does not have a house of his own. Although living apart from her family, the woman still has certain obligations to them for which her husband is responsible. In Palauan custom, the man is the financial sponsor for his wife. He must contribute money for his wife when her male relatives buy their homes. He must also provide money for his father-in-law whenever he engages in Palauan business customs. The wife must contribute food when a relative of hers dies, and this donation is the husband's responsibility. Money for dowries is expected when the wife's relatives get married, and her husband must provide this.

Divorce is quite often initiated by the husband's relatives. If the relatives feel that the wife is not participating in their business customs or helping other relatives, they will tell the husband to divorce his wife. Consequently, it is very important in Palau for a woman to cooperate with her husband's family.

*culled from www.janesoceania.com