Book documenting Langa Langa culture launched

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Group photo of Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Taiwan Ambassador HE Roger Luo with people behind the Birana I wala book.

 A book documenting the traditional value of the Wala tribe of Langa Langa in Malaita province was officially launched yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Treasury Manasseh Sogavare has officially launched the book titled, ‘Birana I wala’, documented by Professor Pei-Yi-Guo and Silas Waletofea.

The research was carried out by Prof Pei-Yi-Guo with support from Silas Waletofea as co-editor and five elders.

The launching was hosted at the national museum hosted by the Taiwanese Embassy together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Mr Sogavare said the book strikes an important policy the government is working on.

He said the policy looks at traditional governance – bringing in our traditional values in the governance system as a way of protecting and preserving traditional values.

With the book, Mr Sogavare said it is structured very well which contains English and Wala language, easy for the current generation to understand.

“This is purposely done as a way of preserving the authenticity of the original ideas and thoughts which could be easily watered down by poor translation of original ideas or cluster of words that carry original idea,” Sogavare said.

Sogavare adds, the research project by Prof Pei-Yi-Guo from Taiwan also tells Solomon Islands about its close ties with the people of ROC (Taiwan).

“It reflects the relationship Solomon Islands and Taiwan developed for more than 30 years ago that were founded on the fundamental principles of democracy, and people to people relationship which cannot be take for granted,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langa Langa Mr Mathew Wale said the book’s publication goes a long way towards redeeming some its lost culture.

He hopes his good people of Wala will be using the Birana I wala book for bed time stories to their kids because it’s codified by custom and traditional value.

Wale said codification of these stories is important to help people understand their identity and title land.

“Having that knowledge will enable us to be liberated and see a way to hold together both the need to hold on together for good value and practices,” Wale said.

“At the same time embrace the 21 century and see that we are part of global community, economy, and if we don’t move forward we lose this very competitive world.”

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