Families Accept Traditional Tarivata Ceremony After Gold Ridge Deaths

Sponsored Advertisement

Relatives of the two men who died in a tragic accident at the Gold Ridge Mine site on Friday have accepted a tarivata—a traditional Guadalcanal ceremony of appeasement—held today to restore peace and allow police investigations to continue.

The men, who were not Gold Ridge Mine workers, were killed when a huge rock, accidentally dislodged by a mine worker, rolled onto the spot where they were sleeping. Their deaths had caused unease around the mine site.

Paramount Chief Walter Naezon, speaking on behalf of the Gold Ridge chiefs and the local company GCIL, expressed sorrow over the tragedy.
“Please accept our sorry, from us at Gold Ridge, from us at the company, and allow us to return to work,” Naezon said during the ceremony. He also extended his apology on behalf of the chiefs and the people of Central Guadalcanal.

Guadalcanal Province Premier William Atu, in thanking those who facilitated the tarivata, described the accident as deeply saddening.

Representatives of both grieving families accepted the cultural process as a way of maintaining relationships and peace.
Speaking for the late Charles Hanerara of Malaita, Paul Wakio said:
“We accept what has happened. We can’t say more—life has gone. But we, the people, will still live and maintain relationship. That’s why we are happy and thank those who organized this.”

Paul Kalea, representing the family of the late Richard Pana of Guadalcanal, also acknowledged the tarivata:
“I, on behalf of my brother, accept this as it maintains the connection amongst our people.”

The ceremony, attended by many community members and overseen by Guadalcanal Police Operation Manager Superintendent Edwin Sevoa, allows police to proceed with their investigation without disturbance.

The relatives of the two received chupu and $10,000 each.

Authorities clarified that the tarivata is not a form of compensation, nor does it seek to “buy” the lives of the deceased. Instead, it is a cultural practice aimed at restoring peace and maintaining community harmony during the investigation period.