Solomon Islands
This page celebrates the Solomon Islands Storytime and Play project. Enjoy the radio episodes and project stories.
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Project Video
Hear about the project from artists, teachers, Playhub facilitators and parents.
Artist Statement
“Nestled in diverse richness of Pacific storytelling, Solomon Islands is an outstanding jewel standing in the light of its own cultural wealth.
This beauty is reflected in our people, our places, our traditions, and our stories. Our shared oral tradition has transformed to slowly assimilate modern faces of storytelling – one of which is writing.
The following stories pay homage to the multiple cultures the writers were brought up in, all of which have been a foundation of vibrant storytelling seeking to entertain and educate. Each of these stories stand alone in their uniqueness, in their birth from Indigenous people.
Varying in their tone and prose, some of these stories belong to certain people who have given their permission for these stories to be written and recorded for this project. Others have been created solely by the writers. All stories have a native Solomon Islands flair and twist to them. We hope all children who hear these stories can feel that.
These stories were written lovingly from the heart, and proudly from our roots, for children.
We are hugely appreciative of the flexible platform Storytime & Play has provided us, so we may provide for children wherever they may be.”
– Tagio tumas (thank you)
From writers and creatives of Dreamcast Theatre
Stories & Episodes
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Episode 1
The Woman and the Eel
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Episode 2
The Turtle and the Bat
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Episode 3
The Man-Eating Pig
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Episode 4
Mautikitiki (pronounced Mah-ooh-chicky-chicky)
Mautikitiki is a male fictional character from traditional stories of the Bellona people, of Rennell & Bellona Province in the Solomon Islands. Mautikitiki is portrayed in different versions from many stories. Mautikitiki is also referred to by the locals as the god of creation. His stories depict the creation of things, such as how coconut crabs came to be in the story “Mautikitiki and the Coconut Crab.”
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Episode 5
Tromoimoi (Trickster)
Tromoimoi is a trickster (a dami god). The name has powers so that when he chanted his name, things grew and things happened.
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Episode 6
The Orphans and The Giant
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Episode 7
The Sunflower, Coconut and the Orchid
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Episode 8
The Gecko and the Flower
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Episode 9
The Frog and the Spider
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Episode 10
Five Stones
Play Hubs
Story content was linked to community Play Hubs to support children’s play and learning.
Local Play Hub teams created culturally-responsive learning-through-play programs and Early Childhood Development resources.
Explore the following resources:
Parenting Cards
Play Hub Facilitator Guide
Instructional guidance for Play Hub trainers and facilitators on sessions such as toy-making, games, craft, storytelling, and concepts of play and child development.
Play Hub Operational Manual
Supporting the establishment and implementation of Play Hubs. This manual was created for Early Childhood Development staff and community members as instructional guidance on conducting community mapping to identify Play Hub Children and caregivers.
Flyers
Promotional material encouraging attendance at Play Hubs and sharing the benefits of Play Hubs for children, families and the whole community.
Credits
Partners:
Dreamcast Theatre
Save the Children, Solomon Islands
Media Team:
Cedella Nongebatu – Writer and Producer
Marco Tepuke – Writer
Ernest Ta’asi – Writer
Victoria Lulumani – Writer
Marco Tepuke – Writer
Jonathan Levo – Writer
Anil Nuia – Casting Theatre Director
Annisha Futai – Casting Theatre director
Kris Mana – Sound Design and Audio Producer
Aidan Saini – Sound Design and Audio Producer
Playhub Team:
Placida Misiga
Maria Toreni
Catherine Johnston
Andrea Costa
Kastom Stories Theatre and Puppetry Performance Cast:
Elna Nuia, Fenella Alleniah, Saleima Taisia, Monalisa Keyaumi, Samantha Niumana, Hannah, Donjoh Richen, Annisha Clarrian, Lyn Saelea, Juan Oti, Paulson Bana, Greg Rofeni, Dino Diau, Osward Ramo, Collin Idu, Heily Nuia, Charles Oti, Vanessa Moore, Anorld Manepura, Gillian Aita, Joel Pitakaka, Quincy Kwan, Cherry Houai Suta, Nelly Pitakaka, Joey Manemaka, Albert Manemaka, Elenor Nuia, Uriel Ramo, Philis Galo, Willard, Joseph Kalevalaka, Anelka Nelu, Chris Mana, Jake Naezon, Sueling Jayn Nuia, James Apaniai, George Capps, Campion Zhan, Amo Folasi, Lionel Giano
Kastom Stories show posters:
