BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Haroro Cultural Group from Central Islands Province is preparing to bring the rich traditions of Ngella to the stage during the 3rd Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival in Honiara next week.
According to a post on the Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival Facebook page, the group will perform during the five-day festival, which runs from July 1 to 5 at the National Museum and National Art Gallery.
The cultural group comes from Haroro village in the Sandfly Passage of Central West Ngella and has a performance history dating back to 1988.
The group was originally established to entertain international visitors during village tours operated through the renowned Bilikiki Cruise, before growing into one of the province’s cultural ambassadors.
The group usually brings together village elders, men, women and young people who perform traditional panpipe music alongside authentic Ngella cultural dances.
The performances tell stories passed down through generations and celebrate the customs and legends unique to Central Province.
Among the group’s featured performances is the “Vulevao”, a traditional dance inspired by the movements of the sacred Vulevao bird, which is found only on their island and is accompanied by live panpipe music.
Another highlight is the “Uluvaolu”, a performance centred on the “green leaf” traditionally associated with custom love charms.
The group also performs “The Giant of Ngella”, a theatrical presentation that brings the island’s legendary giants to life through a combination of dance, music and storytelling.
According to the festival’s Facebook page, Haroro Cultural Group sees cultural performance as more than entertainment.
The group aims to preserve Ngella’s cultural identity for future generations while creating opportunities for village families to earn income through cultural tourism and performances.
Over the years, the performers have welcomed visitors at Roderick Beach Bungalows and participated in Independence Day celebrations, provincial events and national cultural festivals.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to strengthen the confidence of young people, develop new creative skills and continue promoting ancestral panpipe traditions through innovative choreography, with the long-term goal of sharing Ngella’s cultural heritage on international stages.
The 3rd Solomon Islands National Panpipe Festival will bring together cultural groups from across the country to celebrate the nation’s diverse panpipe traditions through music, dance and storytelling.
Photo credit: Tulagi Tours Facebook page
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