When the Christian missionaries arrived on the island of Choiseul (Lauru), they stopped the people from worshipping their own gods. Singing and dancing were outlawed and the visiting of sacred sites was banned. Today only a few old people remember the ancient customs, which have been revived and recreated for this film. Warriors preparing for war offer up a human sacrifice to their supreme god Korotobi in exchange for power and guidance in battle, the craft of pottery hand-building is demonstrated in the open air and traditional singing and dancing, birthing and marriage rites are dramatically re-enacted for the camera.

(1980, 24 mins) A Film Australia Production. Produced for Solomon Islands with Australian Development Assistance Bureau.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.