The history of Black birding and Australia South Islanders is known very little in education curriculum of Solomon Island.
These were the words of minister of culture and tourism Samuel Manetoali in his official speech opening of the international museum day last Friday in Honiara.
Mr Manetoali said the national museum realised Black Birding history of Solomon Island has been though very little in school.
“Black birding history is Solomon Island is not well covered in the national school curriculum to ensure our students well versed with the historical background of black birding.
“So we feel its our duty to tell their story so as to educate and inform the public particularly school students about the history our people taken during the black birding days,” minister Manetoali said.
The theme for this year’s international museum day is ‘Museum collections make connections.’
The international museum day and the opening of the Australian South Sea Islanders exhibition program was held at the National Art Gallery grounds starting on Friday until yesterday.
A open public exhibition covered four (4) major themes – The Queensland-Pacific indentured labour trade, Pacific Islander migrants in colonial Queensland, Deportation of Pacific Islanders from 1901-1908, and Australian South Sea Islanders during the twentieth century.
Audiovisual shows, a panel discussion, traditional cultural and contemporary dances, and live band performances and a lotu program are other activities that will support the exhibition over the 3-day celebrations.
Yesterday a Band Laev concert organized on Saturday afternoon to be held at the National Art Gallery and that aim to Funds raised that will go towards the recovery process after the recent April rains and flash floods.
Minister Manetoali said the national museum should to provide a platform for reconnection, dialogue, cultural exchange and strengthening of links between Australia South Sea Islanders and Solomon islands.
“This year’s international museum day is historic moment indeed for Solomon Islands and particularly the national museum since we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first south SEA Islanders in Queensland Australia,” Mr Manetoali said.
By DENVER NEWTER
