Kwaisulia

Kwaisulia (early 1850s-1909) was a prominent tradesman and strongman on the island of Malaita in the late nineteenth century.[1] A noted friend of the marooned Scottish headhunter Jack Renton, Kwaisulia, who was not a member of any traditionally prominent families on the island, began his rise to prominence by enlisting as a labourer in the Queensland sugar cane industry during the 1870s.[2] The experience he gained from his time in Queensland meant that he was suited to the role of intermediary between the people of his native Lau Lagoon and European traders.[3] In his role, Kwaisulia controlled trade between Malaita and the rest of the world, in doing so becoming very wealthy by the standards of the area.[4] He fathered three sons, two of whom also had significant influence in the area.

Kwaisulia
Born	early 1850s Sulufou, Solomon Islands
Died	1909
Nationality	Lau
Height	177 cm (5 ft 10 in)

Early life

Kwaisulia was born on the island of Sulufou, the most heavily populated of the several islands located within the Lau Lagoon, at some point in the early 1850s. Kwaisulia's father hailed from the interior of Malaita, and was not of a high rank in society, while his mother was a member of the family who were the chiefs of Sulufou. In this way, Kwaisulia was often close to prestigious individuals who had substantial amounts of power, but was of a low status himself.[3]

Career

Jack Renton and Queensland

Prior to his ascension to prominence, Kwaisulia was a "ramo", or warrior, which granted him some prestige.[4] In 1868, Scottish sailor Jack Renton arrived on Sulufou, as a slave of a bigman and chieftain named Kabbou.[5] He and Kwaisulia soon became close friends, with Kwaisulia learning a limited amount of English from Renton. Renton was rescued in 1875, and later that year returned and convinced Kwaisulia to leave and work in Queensland for six years.[6][7] Alternatively, Deryck Scarr states that Kwaisulia accompanied Renton when he was rescued, though he agrees that Kwaisulia spent six years in Queensland.[8]

Growing influence

Kwaisulia returned from Queensland in 1881. Upon his return, he took up a role as a passage master in the "recruitment" trade, encouraging people to work on farms inn Queensland, and in return receiving weapons and supplies from European traders.[9] In his position, Kwaisulia often coerced or forced people to join up with the recruiters, thus engaging in a form of blackbirding.[10] Roger Keesing states that it is believed that the Europeans thought that Kwaisulia was a traditional chief, when in actuality his power and influence largely came trough his good relations with the British.[7]

Kwaisulia began to cultivate an image among the people of the Lau Lagoon as an ally of the British. His wealth and growing prestige allowed him to gain a large following.[4] His power increased considerably when Kabbou died in 1886, thus altering the local balance of power in favour of Kwaisulia.[11] Kwaisulia's main power base was the island of Adagege, which he fortified with barbed wire.[9]

Despite his good relations with Europeans, Kwaisulia was a staunch opponent of Christianity, opposing attempts by missionaries to preach to people in the area.[12]

Later life

By 1897, Kwaisulia was the most powerful figure in northern Malaita.[13] As the British began to expand their influence further during the beginning of the 20th century, his power began to wane somewhat, though he still commanded considerable influence.[14] In 1903, Queensland banned foreign labourers from entering the state, which forced Kwaisulia to instead refocus his efforts on sending labourers to Fiji.[4]

Death

Kwaisulia died in 1909, when, while hunting fish with dynamite, a cartridge he was holding "exploded in his face".[4]

Legacy

He was noted for his trustworthiness by his contemporaries, in contrast to several other people involved in the recruitment trade in the area.[15] Kwaisulia has a complicated legacy in his native Lau Lagoon, with him being remembered both as an effective warrior and leader by some, and as a tyrant by others.[16] Kwaisulia was survived by at least three sons, two of whom, Jackson Kaiviti and Timi Kakaluae, also rose to prominence.[17]

References

1. Moore 1985, p. 81
2. Moore 1985, p. 53
3. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 175-176
4. "Biographical Entry: Kwaisulia (1850s - 1909)". Solomon Islands Historical Encyclopaedia 1893-1978. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
5. Moore 1985, p. 63
6. Moore 2017, p. 128
7. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 174-176
8. Scarr 2013, p. 171
9. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 176
10. Emmer 2012, Colonialism and indentured labor migration in the western pacific 1840-1915
11. Randell 2003, Kwaisulia of Ada Gege
12. Hobbis 2016, p. 51-52; 56
13. Lal & Fortune 2000, p. 146
14. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 177
15. Moore 1985, p. 91-92
16. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 179-180; 186
17. Keesing & Carrier 1992, p. 180

Bibliography

• Emmer, P.C. (2012). "Colonialism and indentured labor migration in the western pacific 1840-1915". Colonialism and Migration; Indentured Labour Before and After Slavery. Springer. ISBN 978-9024732531.
• Hobbis, Stephanie Ketter (October 2016). "An Ethnographic Study of the State in Rural Solomon Islands: A Quest for Autonomy in Global Dependencies" (PDF). Concordia University. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
• Keesing, Roger; Carrier, James G. (1992). "Kwaisulia as Culture Hero". History and Tradition in Melanesian Anthropology. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520075238. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
• Lal, Brij V.; Fortune, Kate (2000). The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia. 1. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824822651.
• Moore, Clive (1985). Kanaka: A History of Melanesian Mackay (PDF). Port Moresby: Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies and the University of Papua and New Guinea Press. ISBN 9980-68-000-8.
• Moore, Clive (2017). Making Mala: Malaita in Solomon Islands, 1870s–1930s. ANU Press. ISBN 9781760460976.
• Randell, Nigel (July 17, 2003). The White Headhunter: The Story of a 19th-Century Sailor Who Survived a South Seas Heart of Darkness. Carroll & Graf. ISBN 0786712562.
• Scarr, Deryck (16 December 2013). A History of the Pacific Islands. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781136837968.

Further reading

• Boutilier, Jim (July 1973). "Kwaisulia, Malaita big man". Pacific Islands Monthly. Pacific Publications. 44.
• Corris, Peter; Davidson, J.W.; Scarr, Deryck (1973). "Kwaisulia of Ada Gege: A Strongman in the Solomon Islands". Pacific Islands Portraits. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian University Press: 253-266.