BY LESLEY FOINAGWA IN WEST KWAIO
A local chief in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, has strongly supported customary land recording, saying it could help Bina people settle long-standing questions about traditional land ownership, leadership and boundaries.
Chief Tom Funi said the process could help communities better understand and protect their customary land while preserving their culture for future generations.
He encouraged the people of Bina to accept land recording with “love and faith”.
“We are satisfied with the concept of the land recording process. I fully support it and recommend that the people of Bina adopt this process,” Chief Funi said.
The Bina region is supporting the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project by helping improve understanding of its traditional land, stories and culture. This information can help support development that respects local communities and their traditions.
Chief Funi said customary land was closely linked to the cultural and spiritual identity of the people.
He said disagreements over land had existed since the time of their ancestors, especially over the discovery of land, leadership and ownership.
According to Chief Funi, recording customary land rights could help communities identify and document the people who have legitimate rights to particular areas.
“I fully encourage our people to adopt the land recording process. I fully support it and recommend it, including to the national government,” he said.
He also called on the government to strengthen laws supporting customary land recording, including the Customary Land Recording Act and other relevant customary land laws.
Chief Funi said people should take greater care of their culture, traditional land and natural resources.
“People must value their culture and also their resources,” he said.
For the Bina communities, land is not only about ownership. It carries stories, identity, traditions and connections passed down through generations.
Chief Funi believes land recording provides an opportunity to protect these important connections while helping communities address old questions and prepare for respectful development in the future.
He said protecting customary land today would help ensure that Bina’s traditional heritage remains strong for future generations.
