by Georgina Maka’a
Nukufero began as a small land grant in the 1950s, given to a few Tikopia settlers who were to live and work on Russell Islands.
The plot named Nukufero was created for a simple purpose: to settle and tend to the Russell Islands Coconut Plantation, then owned by Lever Solomon Limited.
Decades later, Nukufero has grown far beyond its humble origins. Today, more than a thousand people call Nukufero home.
Zephaniah Tambua, now 70, was born and raised in Nukufero.
His parents were among the first settlers who helped establish the community in the Russell Islands.
When In-Depth Solomons visited his village recently, Zephaniah spoke in a quiet, remembering voice about a life that feels almost like a different era.
“I grew up here,” he said.
“Life was very simple and easy,” he added.
He recalled a childhood wrapped in cultural ties and a peace that felt almost tangible.
The networks of family and community weren’t just social structures; they were the air in which children breathed.
Today, Zephaniah sees the world differently.
“There have been a lot of changes,” he observed.
“People no longer have respect for their elders, and there is societal breakdown.”
The pace of modern life quick information, distant horizons feels out of step with the slow, steady rhythms of village life.
The past, he says, held a guardianship. “Life back then is very different. Today, life is totally different,” he reflected.
“Young people today are exposed to a lot of things we did not experience.
Technology, global cultures, and rapid change have become part of daily life nowadays, he observed.
One issue weighs heavily on him: the strained relationship between generations.
“One sad thing that is happening today, which makes me sad, is that young people no longer listen to elders even when we try to guide and teach them, they cannot listen.”
Relocating to Russell Islands was practical in addition to being a cultural bridge.
“I am glad we relocated,” he said, “because Russell Islands is closer to Honiara, unlike Tikopia, which is very far.”
Distance isn’t just geographic; it’s a link to support, trade, and connection, he said.
Culturally, Zephaniah is proud that Nukufero people continue to uphold many of traditions.
Yet he sees a change that troubles him: intermarriage.
“While it’s good for people to marry someone of their choice, upholding cultural norms and practices should never be forgotten, because it is our identity, our heritage.”
He believes this is not just a Nukufero issue but one that echoed across provinces.
Looking ahead, Zephaniah’s wish is clear.
He hopes leaders will recognize the importance of preserving cultural identities before they fade away.
“Time to start saving our culture is now,” he urged, “before we lose sight of who we truly are. The world is changing fast, and we cannot ignore the issues right in front of us.”
The white gray-haired Zephaniah said Nukufero’s story is a portrait of life at the edge of tradition and modernity, where the question isn’t just what we have left, but what we choose to carry forward.
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