Reviving Arts and Crafts Centre – Kaura Speaks of the Need to Keep Malaita’s Traditions Alive in a Changing World

BY MIKE TUA

THE conservation efforts to preserve the cultural and traditional artefacts and history of Malaita have spawned into a project that will deliver tangible results.

After years of collecting and preserving traditional arts and crafts, the community have constructed an art and craft centre on the Mbita’ama village, in the To’obaita Region of North West Malaita with the intelligence of local artist, Michael Kaura who aims to revive the different forms of art and crafts in the particular region.

Each region in Malaita has its own diverse culture, which has given rise to distinct cultural traditions.

Michael Kaura who is from Lau part Mbita’ama village in the To’obaita Region of North West Malaita had a very strong passion to help revive cultural and traditional artifacts and also traditional cultural values in his region in Malaita Province.

He said primary objective of establishing Arts and Crafts Centre aims to empower and promote artisans in his community.

“The objective is to start a training centre to teach young people the culture and history of Malaita Province.

“It takes effort to keep pushing such idea and to try something with great significance for our future generation. But, it is also necessary to keep this traditional arts and crafts from disappearing,” Kaura told Solomon Tourism journalist, Alex Dadamu.

The proposed ‘Laungi Arts and Crafts Centre’ was initiated by Michael and fellow elders of Mbita’ama community in 2018.
Michael said the training centre will be a different house from the Arts and Crafts Centre.

He said the students will be thought how to make cultural and traditional artifacts and then displayed them at the centre.
Backed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Michael’s initiative has gone through its first phase, which is the completion of the Arts and Crafts Centre.

“The second phase, which is the construction of the training centre is expected to be completed this year and likely to be officially launched by the Christmas period this year,” Michael told Tourism Media.

The Laungi Arts and Crafts Centre’ project is not just about reviving these once-popular crafts of Malaita province, but also keeping them relevant in a changing world. The proposed exhibition at Mbita’ama village is also a great way to be aware of the stories behind the creations, and why it is vital to ensure they continue to find a place in the hearts of future generations.

Handicraft was part of daily life and culture of Malaita and they have always crafted war shields, body ornaments, necklaces, shell money, traditional war clubs and many more for practical purposes, customary rituals and for beautifications.

In relation to the preservation of cultural arts and practises, the government’s Culture and Arts Division are also look at pioneering a new concept idea of setting up community based arts and culture schools in the country.

Marita said they are also looking at promoting local culture schools within rural communities in the country, where people with traditional knowledge or old people could be engaged to teach young people about traditional skills.

“Traditional skills and knowledge’s such of canoe making, basket waving for girls, learning traditional songs or lullabies and many more.”

He added that these culture schools can be an initiatives of communities where they don’t need a classroom or specific facility but only need a space where lessons can be taught.

“This link up to our long term cooperate plan for the establishment of cultural centres at various communities including our provinces, for example the National Art Gallery, where artists, cultural producers can come together either sale or display their products.

“This is why we are looking at promoting schools to ensure that they teach some cultural knowledge’s in our various school in the country,’’ he said.