Shell money
Hand-made beads.
Irene Scott/AusAID — CC BY 2.0 · Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — CC BY 2.0 · Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — CC BY 2.0 · Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — CC BY 2.0 · Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — CC BY 2.0
Langa Langa is a long, narrow lagoon on the west coast of Malaita, south of the town of Auki. Calm water sheltered by a sand bar holds small islands built by hand, with houses of wood and thatch on the water. The lagoon is 21 km long and under 1 km wide. The lagoon people, or salt-water people, live on artificial islands they built up over time on sand bars. Its islands are known for making shell money: tiny beads of coloured shell drilled, polished and strung. Laulasi island has had small-scale tourism since the early 1970s. You take a boat from Auki to the islands and watch islanders demonstrate shell-money making. You snorkel in the calm water and see village houses at the water's edge. Auki's waterfront market sells fish, fruit and vegetables daily. The lagoon is about 13 km south of Auki, which is 110 km from Honiara by plane or ship. Visits are arranged with the villages, and a fee may be asked for the demonstration. Ask before taking photos.
Hand-made beads.
Homes on the water.
Snorkelling.
West coast of Malaita, south of Auki
By boat from Auki after arranging with a village.
Ask permission first.