Solomon Islands
Archaeological evidence from Kilu Cave on Buka Island reveals human presence in the Solomon Islands between 30,000 and 28,000 BC. Sea levels were lower during this Pleistocene era, physically joining Buka and Bougainville to the southern Solomons as one landmass known as Greater Bougainville. No other archaeological sites from this period have been found further south, leaving the precise extent of early settlement unclear. As the Ice Age ended between 4000 and 3500 BC, rising sea levels split the landmass into the numerous islands that exist today. Evidence of later settlements dating to 4500, 2500 BC appears at Poha Cave and Vatuluma Posovi Cave on Guadalcanal. The ethnic identity of these earliest peoples remains unknown, though speakers of Central Solomon languages likely represent their descendants. From 1200 to 800 BC, Austronesian Lapita people began arriving from the Bismarcks with their characteristic ceramics. Linguistic and genetic evidence suggests the Lapita people leap-frogged the already inhabited main Solomon Islands to settle first on the Santa Cruz group. Later back-migrations brought their culture to the main island group, where they mixed with native populations. Over time, their languages became dominant, with most of the 60 to 70 languages spoken there belonging to the Oceanic branch of the Austronesian language family. Communities existed in small villages practicing subsistence agriculture while maintaining extensive inter-island trade networks. Numerous ancient burial sites and permanent settlements date from AD 1000 to 1500 throughout the islands. One prominent example is the Roviana cultural complex centered on islands off the southern coast of New Georgia, featuring large megalithic shrines constructed in the 13th century.
Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira was the first European to visit the islands, sailing from Peru in 1568. He landed on Santa Isabel on the 7th of February and explored several other islands including Makira, Guadalcanal, and Malaita. Relations with native peoples were initially cordial but soured over time. Mendaña returned to Peru in August 1568 before returning with a larger crew on a second voyage in 1595 to colonize the islands. They established a small settlement at Gracioso Bay on Nendö in the Santa Cruz Islands. The settlement failed due to poor relations with native peoples and epidemics that caused numerous deaths, including Mendaña himself who died in October. Commander Pedro Fernandes de Queirós abandoned the settlement and sailed north to Spanish territory in the Philippines. De Queirós later returned to the area in 1606, sighting Tikopia and Taumako during a voyage primarily searching for Terra Australis. No European sailed to the Solomons again until 1767 when British explorer Philip Carteret passed by the Santa Cruz Islands, Malaita, and Bougainville. French explorers also reached the region, with Louis Antoine de Bougainville naming Choiseul in 1768 and Jean-François de Surville exploring the islands in 1769. In 1788 John Shortland sighted the Treasury and Shortland Islands while captaining a supply ship for Britain's new Australian colony. That same year French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse was wrecked on Vanikoro. English merchant Peter Dillon visited Tikopia in 1826 and discovered items belonging to La Pérouse in local possession. Some of the earliest regular foreign visitors were whaling vessels from Britain, the United States, and Australia arriving from the late 18th century. They came for food, wood, and water, establishing trading relationships and taking islanders aboard as crewmen. Relations between islanders and visiting seamen were not always good, sometimes resulting in bloodshed. A knock-on effect of greater European contact was the spread of diseases to which local peoples had no immunity. This shifted the balance of power between coastal groups who accessed European weapons and inland groups who did not. Beginning in the 1840s and accelerating in the 1860s, islanders began to be recruited or kidnapped as laborers for colonies in Australia, Fiji, and Samoa in a process known as blackbirding. Conditions for workers were often poor and exploitative, leading locals to violently attack any Europeans appearing on their islands.
From 1942 until the end of 1943, the Solomon Islands became the scene of several major land, sea, and air battles between Allies and the Empire of Japan. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, war was declared between Japan and the Allied Powers. In May 1942, the Japanese launched Operation Mo, occupying Tulagi and most of the western Solomon Islands including Guadalcanal where they began work on an airstrip. The British administration relocated to Auki on Malaita while most of the European population evacuated to Australia. The Allies counter-invaded Guadalcanal in August 1942, followed by the New Georgia campaign in 1943. These campaigns were turning points in the Pacific War that stopped and then countered the Japanese advance. The conflict resulted in thousands of Allied, Japanese, and civilian deaths along with extensive destruction across the islands. The Solomon Islands Campaign cost the Allies approximately 7,100 men, 29 ships, and 615 aircraft. The Japanese lost 31,000 men, 38 ships, and 683 aircraft. Coastwatchers from the Solomon Islands played a major role in providing intelligence and rescuing other Allied servicemen. U.S. Admiral William Halsey recognized the coastwatchers' contributions by stating The coastwatchers saved Guadalcanal and Guadalcanal saved the South Pacific. Islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana were the first to find the shipwrecked John F. Kennedy and his crew of the PT-109. They suggested writing a rescue message on a coconut and delivered it by paddling a dugout canoe. The coconut was later kept on Kennedy's desk when he became President of the United States. Around 3,200 men served in the Solomon Islands Labour Corps and some 6,000 enlisted in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force. Their exposure to Americans led to several social and political transformations. The Americans had extensively developed Honiara, shifting the capital there from Tulagi in 1952. The Pijin language was heavily influenced by communication between Americans and island inhabitants.
In 1943, 44 the Malaita-based chief Aliki Nono'ohimae founded the Maasina Rule movement also called the Native Council Movement or Brotherhood Rule. He was later joined by another chief named Hoasihau. Their aims included improving economic well-being for native Solomon Islanders, gaining greater autonomy, and acting as a liaison between Islanders and colonial administration. The movement was especially popular with ex-Labour Corp members and swelled after the war. Alarmed at its growth, the British launched Operation De-Louse in 1947, 8 and arrested most Maasina leaders. Malaitans then organized a campaign of civil disobedience prompting mass arrests. In 1950 new Resident Commissioner Henry Gregory-Smith arrived and released the movement's leaders though disobedience continued. In 1952 new High Commissioner Robert Stanley met with movement leaders and agreed to create an island council. Late in 1952 Stanley formally moved the territory's capital to Honiara. In the early 1950s the possibility of transferring sovereignty to Australia was discussed but shelved due to financial burdens. With decolonization sweeping the world, Britain sought to prepare the Solomons for self-governance. Appointed Executive and Legislative Councils were established in 1960 with elected representation introduced in 1964 and extended in 1967. A new constitution merged the two councils into one Governing Council in 1970 though the Governor retained extensive powers. Discontent prompted creation of a new constitution in 1974 reducing the Governor's powers and creating the post of Chief Minister first held by Solomon Mamaloni. Full self-government was achieved in 1976, a year after Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia. Meanwhile discontent grew in Western islands fearing marginalization in a future Honiara- or Malaita-dominated state. This prompted formation of the Western Breakaway Movement. A conference held in London in 1977 agreed that the Solomons would gain full independence the following year. Under terms of the Solomon Islands Act 1978 the country was annexed to Her Majesty's dominions and granted independence on the 7th of July 1978. The first prime minister was Sir Peter Kenilorea of the Solomon Islands United Party while Elizabeth II became Queen represented locally by a Governor General.
Commonly referred to as the tensions or ethnic tension, initial civil unrest was characterized by fighting between the Isatabu Freedom Movement also known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army and the Malaita Eagle Force. For many years people from Malaita had been migrating to Honiara and Guadalcanal attracted primarily by greater economic opportunities. The large influx caused tensions with native Guadalcanal islanders known as Guales. In late 1998 the IFM formed and began a campaign of intimidation and violence towards Malaitan settlers. Thousands of Malaitans subsequently fled back to Malaita or to Honiara. In mid-1999 the Malaita Eagle Force was established to protect Malaitans on Guadalcanal. In late 1999 after several failed attempts at brokering peace deals, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu declared a four-month state of emergency. He requested assistance from Australia and New Zealand but his appeal was rejected. Law and order collapsed on Guadalcanal with an ethnically divided police unable to assert authority. Many weapons depots were raided by militias; by this point the MEF controlled Honiara while the IFM controlled the rest of Guadalcanal. On the 5th of June 2000, Ulufa'alu was kidnapped by the MEF who felt he was not doing enough to protect their interests despite being Malaitan. Ulufa'alu resigned in exchange for his release. Manasseh Sogavare was elected prime minister by 23, 21 over Rev. Leslie Boseto though six MPs could not attend parliament for the crucial vote. On the 15th of October 2000 the Townsville Peace Agreement was signed by the MEF, elements of the IFM, and the Solomon Islands Government. This was closely followed by the Marau Peace agreement in February 2001 signed by the Marau Eagle Force, the IFM, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, and the government. A key Guale militant leader named Harold Keke refused to sign the agreement causing a split with Guale groups. Subsequently Guale signatories led by Andrew Te'e joined with the Malaitan-dominated police to form the Joint Operations Force. During the next two years conflict moved to remote Weathercoast region of southern Guadalcanal as the Joint Operations unsuccessfully attempted to capture Keke and his group.
In April 2019, Manasseh Sogavare was elected prime minister for the fourth time causing protests and demonstrations against the decision. More than 30 protesters were detained during these events. In May 2024 Jeremiah Manele was elected new prime minister following the 2024 National General Election. In 2019 Sogavare announced that the Solomons would be switching recognition from Taiwan to China. On the 25th of November 2019 Solomon Islands launched a national ocean policy to achieve sustainable development and use of the ocean for benefit of island nation people. In November 2021 there was mass rioting and unrest. The Solomon Islands Government requested assistance from Australia under the 2017 Bilateral Security Treaty and Australia provided deployment of Australian Federal Police and Defence Forces. In March 2022 Solomon Islands signed a memorandum of understanding on policing cooperation with China. It was also reported to be concluding a security agreement with China allowing an ongoing Chinese military and naval presence in the Solomons. A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said while Pacific Island nations have right to make sovereign decisions they would be concerned by any actions destabilizing regional security. Similar concerns exist in New Zealand and United States. China donated shipment of replica firearms to Solomon Islands police for training. Solomon Islands and China signed security co-operation agreement in April to promote social stability and long-term peace and security. According to leaked draft verified by Australian government Beijing could deploy forces to assist in maintaining social order. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said pact would not undermine peace and harmony in region and aimed at protecting internal security situation. China confirmed that social-order clause had been maintained in final agreement. In February 2023 further protests broke out after Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani was removed from office following vote of no confidence from provincial legislature.
The Solomon Islands per-capita GDP of $600 ranks it as least developed country where more than 75% of labor force engages in subsistence agriculture and fishing. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. Only 3.9% of island area is used for agriculture while 78.1% are covered by forests making the nation seventh-ranked globally in percent forest coverage as of 2022. The government became insolvent by 2002 though since RAMSI intervention in 2003 it has recast its budget. Principal aid donors include Australia, New Zealand, European Union, Japan, and Taiwan. Until 1998 when world prices for tropical timber fell steeply timber was main export product. In June 2000 exports of palm oil and gold ceased while timber exports fell. Courts have re-approved export of live dolphins for profit most recently to Dubai United Arab Emirates. This practice originally stopped by government in 2004 after uproar over shipment of 28 live dolphins to Mexico resulted in criticism from Australia and New Zealand plus conservation organizations. As of 2022 rough wood makes up two-thirds of country's exports worth over unspecified amount. In 2017 317,682 tons of coconuts were harvested making country 18th ranked producer worldwide with 24% of exports corresponding to copra. Cocoa beans mainly grown on islands Guadalcanal Makira and Malaita totaled 4,940 tons in 2017 making Solomon Islands 27th ranked producer. Growth hampered by old age of coconut and cacao trees. In 2017 285,721 tons of palm oil produced making nation 24th ranked producer globally. Other important cash crops include copra cacao and palm oil. For local market but not export many families grow taro totaling 45,901 tons rice at 2,789 tons yams at 44,940 tons and bananas at 313 tons in 2017. Mining began at Gold Ridge on Guadalcanal in 1998 though minerals exploration continued elsewhere. Islands rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead zinc nickel and gold. Rennell Island bauxite mine operated from 2011 to 2021 leaving behind serious ecological damage after multiple spills.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did human presence first appear in the Solomon Islands according to archaeological evidence?
Archaeological evidence from Kilu Cave on Buka Island reveals human presence in the Solomon Islands between 30,000 and 28,000 BC. Sea levels were lower during this Pleistocene era, physically joining Buka and Bougainville to the southern Solomons as one landmass known as Greater Bougainville.
Who was the first European explorer to visit the Solomon Islands and when did they arrive?
Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira was the first European to visit the islands, sailing from Peru in 1568. He landed on Santa Isabel on the 7th of February and explored several other islands including Makira, Guadalcanal, and Malaita.
What major conflict occurred in the Solomon Islands between 1942 and 1943 involving Japan and Allied Powers?
From 1942 until the end of 1943, the Solomon Islands became the scene of several major land, sea, and air battles between Allies and the Empire of Japan. The Japanese launched Operation Mo in May 1942, occupying Tulagi and most of the western Solomon Islands including Guadalcanal where they began work on an airstrip.
When did the Solomon Islands gain full independence from Britain and who was the first prime minister?
The country was granted independence on the 7th of July 1978 under terms of the Solomon Islands Act 1978. The first prime minister was Sir Peter Kenilorea of the Solomon Islands United Party while Elizabeth II became Queen represented locally by a Governor General.
Which groups were involved in the civil unrest known as tensions or ethnic tension that began in late 1998?
Initial civil unrest was characterized by fighting between the Isatabu Freedom Movement also known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army and the Malaita Eagle Force. For many years people from Malaita had been migrating to Honiara and Guadalcanal attracted primarily by greater economic opportunities causing tensions with native Guadalcanal islanders known as Guales.