Malaita Province

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**Malaita Province**
Statistics
Capital:	Auki
Area:	4,225 km² Ranked 3rd
Inhabitants:	122,620 (1999) Ranked 1st
Pop. density:	29.0 inh./km² Ranked 2nd
Map

Malaita Province is one of the largest provinces of the Solomon Islands. It is named for its largest island, Malaita (also known as "Big Malaita" or "Maramapaina"). Other islands include South Malaita Island (also called "Small Malaita" or "Maramasike"), Sikaiana Island, and Ontong Java Atoll. The provincial capital and largest urban center is Auki, located on Big Malaita. The population of the province is 266,620 (1999). The area of the province in 4,225km².

[edit] Ethnicity

The people of the main island are of Melanesian ethnicity. The outer islands of Ontong Java and Sikaiana are of a Polynesian ethnicity.

The Melanesian population of Malaita has unique cultural traditions in social aspects of life. Bride price is a tradition which is unique to Malaita compared to the other islands of the Solomon Islands. In this practice the grooms parents present customary money of shells and as well as food to the brides parents. There is also exchange of food involved.

The violation of cultural taboos and practices as well as causing personal offense is considered a cultural affront. Malaita culture call for the exchange of valuables to ease and resolve the alienation that may thus arise. This is called fa abua or fa okae (compensation).