KOELA, SAVO ISLAND – Like many other provinces in the Solomon Islands where cultural practices remain strong, Savo Island in Central Islands Province continues to uphold traditional customs, including unique inheritance rituals.
Over the weekend, the Solomon Star visited Koela village on Savo to witness and speak exclusively with village elders during one of their traditional ceremonies.
The ceremony centered around the cultural transfer of belongings from father to children, a practice that is deeply rooted in Savo’s cultural traditions.
The event was organized by the children of Joseph Vale, who prepared a traditional offering known as Chupu—a significant gesture in Savo culture that precedes the inheritance of family possessions.
The Chupu, comprising traditional shell money, pigs, locally grown food, and even store-bought items, was presented to their father as part of the ceremonial process.
Only after this offering could Joseph Vale formally distribute what he had planted and owned among his children.
“This is an important way to ensure our children understand the proper customs of passing on family belongings,” said one of the family members who was involved in the ceremony.
Chief Representative of Koela Village, John Keoro, stressed the importance of preserving this tradition.
“This custom is a very important part of our identity. It helps us maintain our values and teaches the younger generation the proper way of handling family inheritance,” he told the Solomon Star.
Such practices continue to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Solomon Islands and the enduring strength of traditional values in rural communities like Savo Island.
By John Chrisma
Solomon Star, Honiara
