A Solomon Island society
Book 1955 Oliver, Douglas L.

SiwaiOceania > Melanesia
This fundamental ethnography of the Siwai provides a comprehensive account of the culture in order to frame traditional authority and the actions of leaders. Specific themes covered include the environment, settlement patterns, subsistence practices,...

Human relations and language in a Papuan-speaking tribe of southern Bougainville, Solomon Islands
essay 1949 Oliver, Douglas L.

SiwaiOceania > Melanesia
This study discusses the political organization of the Siwai, beginning with a semantic analysis finding three distinct meanings of the word for a Siwai big man. One is a respectful form of address for elders within one's kin group. A second refers t...

Economic and social uses of domestic pigs in Siuai, southern Bougainville, Solomon Islands
essay 1949 Oliver, Douglas L.

SiwaiOceania > Melanesia
This document discusses pig-hunting and pig-raising, and examines the overall significance of pigs in the Siwai economy. Pigs are exchanged for shell money that is used in everyday economic transactions. As much as Siwais love to eat pork, pigs are n...

Land tenure in northeast Siuai, southern Bougainville, Solomon Islands
essay 1949 Oliver, Douglas L.

SiwaiOceania > Melanesia
This study attempts to explain the complicated relationship of Siwais to their land. Land is owned by clans and matrilineages. Nevertheless, non-lineage members can have access to land depending on residence. Various court cases over land disputes ar...