Keeping the Fire Burning: A Young Voice Preserving Guadalcanal Culture
In the Eastern part of Guadalcanal, where tradition still shapes everyday life, Dency Lesly stands as a proud voice of cultural identity.
Hailing from East Guadalcana, Dency recently shared her story during the 2nd Appointed Day of Guadalcanal Province, an event that brought together communities to celebrate and showcase their heritage.
It is a symbol of unity, gender roles and cultural continuity.
“In Birao, this house is important during feasts. It is where women do the work of preparing food to serve our people,”Dency explained.
Despite the pressures of modern life, Dency says these traditions remain alive in her village of Belanimanu in East Guadalcanal. For her, culture is not something of the past, it is a living practice still embraced by her generation.
“During feasts, we still follow this system. I see that our culture is still strong in our village,” she said, noting that while she cannot speak for the whole province, her community continues to hold firmly to its roots.
Participating in the provincial celebration gave Dency a sense of pride and purpose. It was more than just an event – it was an opportunity to tell her people’s story.
“I felt excited to showcase our culture and share how we live. These stories have been passed down to us, and we will continue to pass them on to the next generation,” she said.
Her message to young people is clear and urgent: do not let culture fade.
“We must not lose our culture. It is part of who we are. We must protect it, embrace it, and take pride in it.”
As Guadalcanal Province continues to celebrate its identity, voices like Dency’s remind us that culture lives through people, through their stories, their practices and their commitment to carry it forward.
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