Ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands ► Guadalcanal & Malaita

Trip from 1 to 20 July 2027 / From 11,000€

This is a unique ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, to the heart of tribal Melanesia. A world that very few have experienced to this date. The trip focuses on three different tribal areas, their ecosystems and living culture. The expedition will be guided by an expert anthropologist and his team of fixers.

The densely forested and remote mountains of Malaita are a unique place. As one of six major islands in the equatorial Solomon Island chain, the region is endowed with a remarkable richness of endemic flora and fauna. A relatively isolated group of communities, known as the Kwaio people, live in these highlands. Many people in these communities are conservation focused and continue to practice strong pre-European customs and religions.

Not only is the region geographically remote, but it also remained secluded from western-style development for decades following a massacre of the Kwaio people by foreign armed forces in 1927. This isolation facilitated the prolonged preservation of the unique ecosystems in the area.

The journey up to these highlands can be gruelling. The track is steep, often wet and muddy, and the air is heavy with heat. There is little rhythm to the walking, as rivers and obstacles repeatedly block the route. The trek takes approximately eight hours and as one approaches the highlands in the late afternoon, the air begins to mercifully cool. The journey ends (or perhaps it begins) with a ‘welcome to the country’. All present dress in kapolato, traditional attire consisting of a banana leaf, and the evening is replete with hospitable speeches and customary dances.

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Discover the highlights of this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands

Exploring Melanesia from Australia

To begin this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, we will land in Brisbane. This Australian city, founded in 1824, will offer us our first glimpse into Oceania. We will stroll through the historic centre and rest from the long international flight. The next day, we will fly to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. After landing, we will visit the National Museum and learn about the country's social and political reality. This will introduce us to the complex contemporary Melanesian context.

Route to the tribal heartland: the Kwaio Mountains

We will continue this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands by crossing by sea to the island of Malaita. This is the most densely populated and conservative island in the archipelago. There, we will begin an ethnographic expedition into the mountains, where the last animist Kwaio communities live. Before the trek, we will explore Auki, the capital of Malaita, and prepare for the days we will spend with these traditional people. We will also visit a Kwaio Christian village located on the coast, which will serve as an introduction to the cultural world of this ethnic group. Afterward, we'll begin a long hike through the jungle hills. Our goal will be to reach the Kwaio animist centres of the interior. For four full days, we'll live with these communities. We'll sleep in tribal huts, without running water or electricity. We'll also share their daily lives and participate in Kastom rituals. This traditional cultural system regulates all aspects of Kwaio life: from economics to spirituality. This will undoubtedly be one of the most intense moments of this trip to the Solomon Islands.

Shell money and tattoos at Langa Langa lagoon

During this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, we will visit Langa Langa Lagoon, west of Malaita. This narrow stretch of water is home to artificial islands built on reefs. The Langa Langa erected these structures to protect themselves from enemies from within. We will also visit shell money workshops and learn about their economic and ritual functions. Many older women retain traditional tattoos on their faces, chests, and forearms, allowing us to explore a deeply symbolic ancestral aesthetic.

Traditional fishing on Laulasi Island

We'll also sail to Laulasi Island, home to the Kwara'ae people. There, we'll learn about their traditional fishing techniques and daily life. This visit, part of our ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, will allow us to better understand their relationship with the sea and their subsistence in the Melanesian Pacific. As a finale, we'll share a farewell dinner with our hosts at the lagoon guesthouse.

Coexistence with the Moro people

On this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, we will have the opportunity to meet members of the Moro tribe. These people still wear traditional clothing and participate in rituals that preserve their worldview. For three nights, we will live with them, learning their philosophy of life. We will also explore the Moro Movement, which emerged in the 1960s. This Melanesian spiritual movement emerged after a vision of its founder. He believed that ships full of riches would arrive for his people, inspired by the experience of World War II. During this stage of our ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, we will visit the Moro Folklore House. This small museum houses ritual objects, ancient weapons, and sacred garments. We will also witness practices linked to cargo worship, a spiritual phenomenon characteristic of colonial Melanesia. Thus, the journey becomes an anthropological exploration of contemporary magical thought. Thus concludes this ethnographic trip to the Solomon Islands, a transformative experience that will allow us to discover unique cultures that still thrive on the margins of the globalized world.