The Roles of Melanesians in the Development of the Church in Melanesia 1925 -1975
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THE ROLES OF MELANESIANS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH IN MELANESIA 1925 -1975 Submitted by ATKIN ZAKU Dip of Theology, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology A THESIS SUBMITTED IN TOTAL FULFILMENT OF THE RQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FACULTY OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY 2I JANUARY 2013 i Statement of Authorship and Sources This thesis contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a thesis by which I have qualified for or been awarded of any other degree or diploma. No parts of this thesis have been submitted towards the award of any other degree or diploma in any other tertiary institution. No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of the thesis. Name: Date: ii Acknowledgements This thesis is the work of many invaluable contributions from many people and organisations. Without them, it would have been impossible to undertake and complete this study. With the understanding of the impossibility of mentioning everyone by name, I would first of all like to thank everyone who contributed in one way or another, big or small in the final completion of this piece of work. However having said this, I would still like to make special mention of the following. Thanks to my supervisors, Associate Professor Gerard Hall, who was my principal supervisor, Professor James McLaren and Dr. Stefano Girola, my co-supervisors. Their advice and supervision was not only academically professional, but pastoral and spiritually caring. It was a privilege and an honour to work with them. Our relationships grew during the years of my study and they remain heroes in my life. God provided these great teachers who allowed themselves to be part of my academic journey. I am very thankful and grateful to God. Thanks to the Anglican Church of Melanesia which confidently provided me the scholarship. This was a scholarship given in trust, confidence and prayers. I am thankful for the opportunity. I achieved with humility the assignment that the Anglican Church and people of Melanesia confidently entrusted to me. God has always been in the forefront of the journey. Whilst on the church, I would also like to thank parishioners of St. Oswald Anglican Church in Banyo, who shared their spirituality with me. Thanks to the Melanesian Anglican families in Brisbane, who often invited us into their many programs. I would like to make special mention of Berralld, Barbara and Neilmoshe who greatly supported me and my family, making our stay in Brisbane comfortable and homely. They have become part of my family. Finally, thanks to my dear wife Jenny and Dalmina, my granddaughter, who directly shared with me all the challenges and pains while undertaking this study. It was not easy of course to live with someone who had less time in the sitting room than in the study. Your sacrifice and patience were invaluable contributions. Along with Jenny and Dalmina, I thank my daughter Lupa, who saw fit to sacrifice her overseas scholarship and accept a local scholarship, lessening the financial burden of the church. I would also like to thank my daughter Sese and son Steve, of course with his family, who supported me in small ways, especially during my research in the Solomon Islands. Lastly, but not least, for members of my extended famiIy who always were a strong support - I thank you so much. Thank you God Thank you Melanesia Thank you Australian Catholic University. iii Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... II TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................................... III ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................................... VII MAP OF SOLOMON ISLANDS PRE-INDEPENDENCE .......................................................................................... IX INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1. RESEARCH FOCUS .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................................ 1 i) Importance and the process of analysis and interpretation of literature ................................................. 2 ii) The Challenges ..................................................................................................................................... 4 3. PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THESIS ............................................................................................................... 4 4. LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 5 i) The general observation of Melanesians ................................................................................................ 6 ii) The Melanesian Brotherhood (MBH) ..................................................................................................... 7 iii) Social Services ....................................................................................................................................12 5. CONTENT OUTLINE .......................................................................................................................................14 i) Chapter One .........................................................................................................................................14 ii) Chapter Two ........................................................................................................................................14 iii) Chapter Three .....................................................................................................................................15 iv) Chapter Four ......................................................................................................................................16 v) Chapter Five ........................................................................................................................................16 vi) Chapter Six .........................................................................................................................................17 vii) Chapter Seven....................................................................................................................................18 viii) Chapter Eight ....................................................................................................................................19 CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................................................21 SOLOMON ISLANDS PRE-CHRISTIAN ERA ........................................................................................................21 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................21 1. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES ..............................................................................................................................21 2. PRE- CHRISTIAN HISTORY ...............................................................................................................................22 i) European Arrival and the first European Contacts .................................................................................22 a) Whalers, traders and planters ......................................................................................................................... 26 b) Blackbirders .................................................................................................................................................... 31 3. THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MELANESIAN COMMUNITY .....................................................33 i) Melanesian Culture ..............................................................................................................................36 a) Membership and Relationship ......................................................................................................................... 37 b) Leadership: Chiefs and Elders .......................................................................................................................... 41 c) Languages and Traditional Arts ........................................................................................................................ 43 4. MELANESIAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION ................................................................................................................44 i) Mana ...................................................................................................................................................44 ii) Forms of Spirits/Gods ..........................................................................................................................46 iii) Traditional Priests and their role .........................................................................................................47