The Qaena’alu people of Guadalcanal on Friday, October 24, 2025, commemorated 19 years since the passing of the late Chief Moro Pelise, founder of the historic Moro Movement, with a two-day celebration at Turarana in Central Guadalcanal.
Comprising eight tribes, the event featured various cultural activities and traditional performances that continued into Saturday under the theme “Embracing God’s Divine Grace for Spiritual Advancement through Culture.”
The celebration showcased Chupu presentations, traditional dances, and rituals performed by followers of the Moro Movement, reflecting the unity and respect the Qaena’alu people continue to hold for their late leader’s vision and legacy.
The Moro Movement, established in the 1950s, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It was founded by Chief Moro Pelise with the goal of improving the social and economic life of his people through a blend of modern cooperative principles and respect for traditional leadership and customs.
His vision centered on unity, self-reliance, and protection of the land and environment from foreign influence.
During the event, Qaena’alu President Jerry Sabino reflected on Chief Moro’s legacy and the importance of maintaining cultural identity. He said the celebration serves as a reminder of gratitude and a call to preserve the values that define the Qaena’alu people.
“This celebration shows our gratitude for what he established and reminds our people to maintain our culture and traditional values,” Sabino said.
“It’s one way we bring people together to honor our customs and identity.”
President Sabino explained that the gathering marks the nineteenth anniversary of Chief Moro’s passing. He noted that the next major commemoration in 2027 will be held at the movement’s headquarters in Moro’s homeland.
“The celebration is about recognizing our achievements and what Moro has done,” he said. “He worked with a vision beyond human understanding. Many of the things he spoke about unity, broken relationships, and the effects of foreign intervention are now becoming realities.”
Sabino expressed concern that modernization and foreign influence are slowly eroding traditional customs. “If people live too comfortably and forget our ways, our traditions will fade,” he said.
“It’s difficult, but through these celebrations, we remind people of who we are.”
He also spoke about the importance of cultural practices, especially for women, emphasizing that traditional attire like grass skirts for women and kabilatos for men hold sacred meaning.
“In our culture, the human body is God’s creation. Women should not be ashamed of their bodies. When a mother feeds her child, that’s a symbol of life and connection to nature,” he said.
At the official opening, Premier of Guadalcanal Province William Atu, who attended as guest of Honour with his executive members, commended the late Chief Moro Pelise for his enduring vision and leadership.
“Today, we are here to celebrate the life of Chief Moro Pelise an ordinary man from among us, but through his vision, we stand united today,” Premier Atu said. “The land is our mother, our life, and our future.”
He recalled that the founder proposed organizing the Qaena’alu people into eight zones, each guided by by-laws to protect their people and environment. Atu said the founder believed the Qaena’alu were custodians of nature of the eagles in the sky, the rivers, forests, and sea creatures and that all resources, including minerals, must be developed honestly and harmoniously for the future of the children.
Speaking on behalf of the Moro Movement, Chief David Cornelius said one of Chief Moro’s greatest visions was to unite the people of Guadalcanal. However, he lamented that land and environmental conservation once central to the movement’s teachings have declined due to foreign influence.
“The destruction of our land continues in the name of development,” he said, urging both national and traditional leaders to make mindful decisions that safeguard the province’s future.
Chief Moro Pelise passed away in 2006 and was laid to rest at Turarana. Every two years, on October 24, the Qaena’alu people gather to honor his life, legacy, and spiritual vision.
Nearly seven decades after the Moro Movement’s founding, Chief Moro’s teachings on unity, spirituality, and stewardship continue to guide the Qaena’alu people reminding them that progress and tradition must walk hand in hand.
By George Maelagi
Solomon Star Online
