-
Appendix 1 "A Brief History of Ethnic Tension (South Guadalcanal)"
- University of Hawai'i Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
189 Appendix 1 “A Brief History of Ethnic T ension (South Guadalcanal)” Peochakuri Village Weather Coast South Guadalcanal Constituency Guadalcanal Province Solomon Islands The Chairman N.P.C. Honiara Solomon Islands Attention: Mr. Paul Tovua/Dr. Stephen Halapua 12th September 2005 Dear Sir, Re: A Brief History of Ethnic Tension (South Guadalcanal) 1. Please allow me to unveil some of the natures of threats and demands we, the people of Peochakuri and the nearby villages, had gone through during the recent ethnic tension, to back up our claims and demands below. 190 ◊ Appendix 1 If I remember correctly, a Solomon Islands Government patrol boat unexpectedly arrived in Sughu in February 2001. On arrival it fired its machine guns ashore. The motive behind this mission is still unknown to me and my people. We also do not know today who was backing up this mission. 2. Keke’s arrival As a result of this shooting, Harold Keke and his men arrived at Peochakuri and temporarily settled down at Chapuria Christian Community High School, after they fled from their first settlement. These men were armed and finally settled at Inokona for some 19 months or 1 year 7 months. It was during his reign of terror we witnessed threats, tortures and deaths, which had indeed caused unbearable suffering to all our people here on the Weathercoast South Guadalcanal Constituency, mainly wards 6, 7 and 8. 3. Normal Activities Ceased As soon as he had settled down and took control of all the villages, all the daily routines of the village life were totally disturbed as our youths and men were forced to perform security duties, unarmed. But his own ex-militants were heavily armed. While the youths and men were busy doing security work, his own men were relaxing themselves. All the women were forced to prepare meals for Harold Keke and his men, our people had little time to do gardening and repairing of their houses. 4. Retail Stores Ceased to Operate In spite of the ethnic tensions, some of our retail stores continued to operate small services to our people for some time until Harold Keke and his cruel men arrived. Most of the goods from the stores were ordered by Mr. Keke without paying for them. Thus, all our canteens broke down. No one would dare ask Mr. Keke to pay for the goods because they would suffer unjust consequences. [54.91.51.101] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 11:41 GMT) Appendix 1 ◊ 191 5. Movement In and Around the Village All the movements were strictly controlled. No one was allowed to move out from his/her house at night without a fire or a torch light. One had to seek permission before going to another nearby village. Going to Honiara without obtaining permission from the militants one would be heavily fined of $1,000, a pig and two shell money worth $1,200. Only the trustworthy people can be allowed to go to Honiara. However, in 2002, it was strictly forbidden to go to Honiara. Anyone found breaking this order may be killed or tortured. 6. Manner of Worship Our manner of worship, prayers and preaching were totally controlled by Mr. Keke. At times in the church services Harold Keke would fire his gun inside the church. At times the pastors who would not make their prayers for protection through the night were severely punished. Their punishment would be to run around the football field 50 times until they were exhausted and fainted. In those days, no one under the sun dared to say anything against H. K. for fear of being tortured or even killed. 7. Our Own Houses Harold Keke’s order was that it was a waste of time to build good houses in our respective villages. Instead, he would encourage us to build little bush huts. He believed that the Government would send its patrol boat to bombard our homes. The only safe place was in the bush huts. 8. Our Gardens It is quite natural that the person who made a garden has the right to harvest it. Our case is different. The ex-militants would help themselves when and if the gardens were ready. That included edible trees and bananas, pigs, chickens and everything we owned. We lost everything we owned during the tension. 192 ◊ Appendix 1 9. Bush Huts Disadvantages One of the disadvantages of building and owning bush huts was that we lost all our belongings, including our kitchen...