Solomon Islands — books & literature

The story of Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands were among the first Pacific lands ever reached by humans: Papuan-speaking voyagers settled the islands tens of thousands of years ago, one of history's earliest deliberate ocean crossings. Austronesian-speaking Lapita peoples arrived later, bringing pottery and outrigger canoes and shaping the archipelago's deep linguistic diversity. Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana became the first European to sight the islands in 1568, naming them after the biblical King Solomon in hope of finding gold. Britain declared a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893, later absorbing the northern chain from Germany. During the Second World War the islands became a major Pacific battleground: the Battle of Guadalcanal (1942-1943) was a turning point against Japan and remains one of the war's best-known campaigns. Solomon Islands gained internal self-government in 1976 and full independence on 7 July 1978, with Peter Kenilorea as its first Prime Minister. Ethnic tension between Guadalcanal and Malaita communities disrupted the country from 1998-2003 until a regional peacekeeping mission restored stability. Today Solomon Islands remains a Commonwealth realm balancing custom ('kastom') life, Christianity, and one of the world's most linguistically diverse populations.

Timeline — key moments

1. circa 30,000 BCE

   First human settlement by Papuan-speaking peoples , one of the earliest known ocean crossings.

2. circa 1200 BCE

   Austronesian-speaking Lapita voyagers arrive, bringing pottery and outrigger canoe technology.

3. 1568

   Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana becomes the first European to reach the islands and names them after King Solomon.

4. 1893

   Britain declares a protectorate over the southern Solomon Islands.

5. 1899-1900

   Anglo-German agreement transfers the northern Solomons (except Buka and Bougainville) to Britain.

6. 1942-1943

   Battle of Guadalcanal , a major turning point of the Pacific War in World War II.

7. 1976

   Solomon Islands achieves internal self-government.

8. 1978

   Independence from Britain on 7 July, with Peter Kenilorea as founding Prime Minister.

9. 1998-2003

   "The Tensions" , ethnic conflict between Guadalcanal and Malaita communities.

10. 2003-2017

    Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) restores order and rebuilds state institutions.

Top 10 things to know about Solomon Islands

1. Made up of nearly 1,000 islands stretching across the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
2. First settled by Papuan-speaking peoples tens of thousands of years ago , one of humanity's earliest ocean crossings.
3. Named "Solomon Islands" in 1568 by Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana, who hoped to find King Solomon's legendary gold.
4. Site of the WWII Battle of Guadalcanal (1942-1943), a decisive turning point in the Pacific War.
5. Gained independence from Britain on 7 July 1978.
6. Home to more than 70 living languages , one of the highest linguistic densities per capita on Earth.
7. Melanesian Pijin serves as the common lingua franca alongside English.
8. A Commonwealth realm , the British monarch remains head of state, represented by a Governor-General.
9. Part of the Coral Triangle, with some of the richest marine biodiversity and dive sites in the world.
10. Traditional shell money and wood carving remain central to ceremonial and cultural life, especially on Malaita.

Famous people from Solomon Islands

Say it in Solomon Islands's language

Did you know?

• ★The Solomon Islands flag's diagonal gold stripe represents the sun, dividing green (land) from blue (sea and rivers).
• ★With more than 70 distinct languages among fewer than a million people, Solomon Islands has one of the highest per-capita language counts of any country.
• ★Unexploded ordnance from the WWII Battle of Guadalcanal is still found on the island today, more than 80 years later.

Solomon Islands culture

• Traditional shell money, shaped from clam and other shells, is still exchanged in bride-price and ceremonial gifts, especially on Malaita.
• Panpipe orchestras and log-drum ensembles are a hallmark of Solomon Islands music, particularly among the 'Are'are people.
• Wood carving , canoes, bowls, and figures inlaid with nautilus shell , is a celebrated craft tradition.
• Christianity, introduced by 19th and 20th century missionaries, is practiced by the vast majority of the population and blends with customary ("kastom") beliefs.

Why read Solomon Islands's books

Solomon Islands' literary tradition is young but distinct: pioneering voices like John Saunana and Jully Makini turned oral storytelling and custom life into the country's first published novels and poetry in the 1980s, a tradition this shelf continues.