Moro Movement

The aim of the Moro Movement of Isatabu, in the Solomon Islands, has been described as "Sai lima horohoro tuali" – "Putting lands together in living as before". A movement for social economic and political improvement using co-operatives economic enterprises in combination with a regard for custom and tradition to synthesise a new social order.

As the Marau-Hauba Council on Guadalcanal, became destabilised in 1956, while a 'back to custom' movement was gaining strength, centred in the south east coastal areas and on the villages in the Suta area – on the northern side of the interior mountains. At Makaruka and Veuru Moli, Pelise Moro started to mobilise people around stories of original creation and a return to the use of name Isatabu instead of Guadalcanal. However, as the movement rose, the Marau-Hauba council was replaced by the Guadalcanal Council.

Was born in Makaruka village, Isatabu (Guadalcanal), but much of his childhood was spent in his mothers village in Suhu, east of Makaruka. According to Dominic Alebua, Moro's ancestors come from Nabua village, in the inland Areata area, in Talise. He is the descendent of a woman taken to Makaruka as a Checka (slave). After his mothers brother died, Moro inherited their land. Moros father Tavoruka was a 'Bigman' in Makaruka who held hereditary ritual powers to calm seas, make torrential rain abate and promote the fertility of the yams and taro. Moro learned these skills and inherited them when his father died in 1961. He was baptised a Roman Catholic by Fr. Jean Boudard but did not attend missionary school and is illiterate. In 1962 he married a girl from an inland village. They had 2 children – a son and a daughter.

In 1956 Moro and some men from Komuvaolu, Makaraku, Bokasughu and Nagho went to Korasaghulu reef to stop men from Wanderer bay and the Weather Coast from fishing for trocus shells, as the Moli peoples had claimed ownership of this reef. Upon his return Moro became very ill while at Lauvi Point, where he fell while chasing the Chacha (The Eagle). Moro fell into a deep coma and was even presumed dead. However he recovered consciousness after a few days although he did not fully recover for many months. Moro has also said that during this time he was somewhat mentally ill. After he had recovered, however, Moro had acquired the ability to know who had stolen anything, who performed sorcery, and who was guilty of possessing 'Vele' or 'Piro'. It was at this time also that he began to recount the story of the origin of Guadalcanal. Moro has said that during his illness he had a visit:

“I saw a bird but it was a man. At first it was a bird, it came out of some swirling dust like that behind a truck on the roads of Honiara. The bird changed into a man who spoke and instructed. You must do the things I tell you. Everything in this land and sea belongs to you. You must ignore all those who scoff or tell you not to do it. The things you should start is an association (Kampani, pidgin English for company) to make money All the things that are yours should be used, [n]ot allowed to stand unused or to be exploited by others. Your people own it and control it.”

...
Wikipedia