Wogosia: an annual renewal rite in the eastern Solomon Islands

Article Abstract:

Wogosia, or 'the worship', is the biggest religious festival of the people of the island of Santa Catalina in the eastern Solomon Islands. Wogosia is a renewal rite celebrating the start of the new year and includes the last of a series of first-fruit ceremonies. Wogosia formerly used to be a progressive festival, moving from one island to another. The festival involves a petition to numerous supernatural deities and a ritual cleansing and purification of the island and its people. A detailed description of the festival is provided.

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Eruamaka

Jun 14, 2009 @ 12:00 am

In our language, the spelling should be wogasia. the event is to be held annually between may or june. this is the time we give thanks to the godess of the land we thought that provides the fruits of the tree and from the ground. However this is the month of praying. Giving thanks to the gods is done on the following month. We called it Wogasi taro, this is when we actually go to raised platform build from piling up stones and pray to the gods.Each clan has its own alter to pray.

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Behind the scenes: betel chewing paraphernalia from Asia and the Pacific

Article Abstract:

Betel chewing and the paraphernalia for such activity are discussed. A common exercise among the people of South and Southeast Asia, betel chewing is the practice of sucking and chewing on sliced areca nut, betel leaf and lime and then spitting it out after 15 to 30 minutes. Betel chewing enhances the person's 'sense of well-being', inhibits tooth decay and freshens breath. Though it is still a custom in some rural area, the practice is gradually dying out in the cities.

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Decorated canoe prow-boards from the Trobriand Islands

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The article describes the artwork typical of prow-boards for canoes made by the Massim, a tribal society from the Trobriand Islands off the coast of Papua New Guinea. These boards were lobed, asymmetrical, elaborately carved, and painted red, white and black in intricate patterns.

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