Eating in Solomon Islands

Typical Solomon Islands

Australia and Oceania

Naturally blond?

Did you know that only two in 100 people on earth even have blonde hair? And they don’t just live in Sweden, Holland or anywhere else in Northern Europe. No, there are also people in the Solomon Islands with blonde hair – but at the same time dark skin color. Every tenth person actually has blonde hair and they stand out even more in contrast to their darker skin color. But why is that so?

The reason for this lies in the changed genetic makeup of blond-haired people. It has nothing to do with the fact that Europeans once mixed with the local population. Not to mention the fact that not every European has or has blonde hair.

A changed gene is to blame for the fact that many people in the Solomon Islands are blond. This fact mainly affects the residentsOceania, because this genetic change actually only occurs there.

Red teeth?

In many areas of Asia and Oceania, people enjoy chewing betel nuts. These grow locally, so they are cheap and easy to get. The fruits of the betel plant are mixed with other substances such as lime. Then you chew this mass and at some point spit it out again. This is then a bit disgusting for others who are watching, especially if they are not familiar with this custom.

But why do people chew this stuff that also damages their teeth? The betel nut has an intoxicating effect and makes many forget their worries. At the same time, hunger is suppressed and a pleasant feeling is created. It’s similar to alcohol. But betel nuts are easier to get and cheaper too. That’s why some people numb themselves with these nuts and put their bad teeth with them.

Numbers with shells?

There is a very special money in the Solomon Islands: the shell money. The mussels are collected on the seabed and cut into thin slices. In the end, they are pulled up on a string. But unfortunately you cannot pay with this money in the shops, they only take real money. But today it is still an important means of payment for the bride price.

Numbers with feathers?

Another unusual means of payment is the red feather money, which can be found on some islands such as the Santa Cruz Islands. For this, a cord is braided from pigeon feathers, which is then covered with the feathers of the cardinal bird.

The feathers are plucked from the bird, but first of all it has to be caught. You need 600 birds for a roll of feather money. Once the birds have lost their feathers, they are sent back into the wild. But less with one or the other pen. So if you ever come across a plucked bird in the Solomon Islands, it’s likely a cardinal bird.

The festival of the sea

TV sets are rare in the Solomon Islands. There is also a problem with the Internet, but somehow young people have to spend their free time. Once a year there is a very special festival on the Solomon Islands: the “Festival of the Sea”. This is repeated year after year on the island of Gizo at the beginning of December.

Competitions in canoeing, fishing and diving are held here. It goes without saying that everyone here wants to win and so the children train for this event all year round. Courage is also required here, especially for the boys who jump into the water from a 20 meter high tower and show that they are now adults. Will that be enough for you to grow up?

Eating in Solomon Islands

What do you eat in the Solomon Islands?

The Solomon Islands have the same problem of feeding their inhabitants as many other islands in the South Pacific. Traditional food, which of course includes a lot of fish and seafood, is being replaced more and more by western fast food.

In the past, food was limited to sweet potatoes, yams, rice and the fruits that are grown on the islands. Then there were the coconuts, which were completely processed.

The products that many people eat today are not very beneficial for health. These include sugared drinks, but also corned beef or tuna, which is not fresh from the sea, but now comes from a can and is therefore usually soaked in oil and is much fatter and less healthy.

Eating in Solomon Islands