The Solomon Islands sit at a crossroads of Melanesian kastom, ancestral veneration, and everyday coastal life — and local collectors say Solomon Islanders keep roughly 400 superstitions alive in memory, story, and practice. Below is a carefully curated, human-written guide to the most widely reported and community-friendly beliefs. It’s organized for clarity, written in plain English for global readers, and shaped to help travelers, teachers, and culture lovers understand how the unseen is felt on these islands.
Sea, Canoes, and Fishing
Right Foot In
Step into a canoe with the right foot first for a calm sea; left invites headwinds.
Quiet Launch
Never shout while launching; loud voices “wake” jealous spirits beneath the lagoon.
Gunwale Rule
Sitting on a canoe’s gunwale “tips luck” overboard — sit low and steady.
Don’t Count Fish at Sea
Counting the catch before beaching “shrinks” tomorrow’s schools.
Moon-Phase Fishing
Waxing moon for pelagic luck; waning moon to rest nets and mend.
Reef Tabu
Red leaves tied on a stake mark a tabu reef; taking fish there invites illness.
Shark Ancestors
Some clans regard certain sharks as kin; mocking them “cuts” protection at sea.
Turtle Restraint
Avoid boasting after taking a turtle; pride “stirs” storms.
Shell Money Blessing
A short strand of shell money on the bow “calls” prosperity for fishers.
No Soap in the Lagoon
Washing with scented soap at the landing “turns” the fish away.
Conch Call
A conch blast before dawn “opens the water” and keeps jealous spirits at bay.
Drift-Light Omen
A lone light bobbing offshore at night signals an ancestor’s warning to stay ashore.
Salt on the Gunwale
A pinch of salt on each side of the bow “seals” the canoe against misfortune.
Do Not Step Over Lines
Stepping over lines or nets tangles tomorrow’s haul.
No Whistling on the Water
Whistling “calls” sea spirits and invites sudden squalls.
First Catch Gift
Give the very first fish of a season to an elder or in-law to “open” luck.
Fish Bones & Storms
Burning fish bones before a voyage “burns off” brewing bad weather.
Ancestral Stones
Certain beach rocks house clan spirits; never sit on them casually.
Hook Taboo
Do not pass a hook across someone’s body — it “hooks” their luck.
Lagoon Rainbow
A rainbow arching over the lagoon after rain is a green light for safe travel.
Daily Life, Home, and Food
Falling Coconut
A nut falling near the doorway warns of gossip; sprinkle water to “cool” it.
Don’t Step Over Food Baskets
Stepping over baskets “starves” the home’s luck.
Evening Sweeping
Sweep at dusk and you sweep out blessings — wait for morning.
Betel-Nut Courtesy
Spitting carelessly “insults” house spirits; step aside and cover the spot with sand.
Mirror at the Door
A small mirror facing outward bounces envy back to the path.
Cooking Fire Etiquette
Do not blow out the fire — pinching the flame between wet fingers “keeps” fortune.
Taro First Bite
Offer the first steamed taro to children and elders to keep gardens fertile.
Salt Bowl
A pinch of coarse salt under the bed “drinks” bad dreams.
Spilled Rice
Spill a few grains outside to share abundance with wandering spirits.
New House Cleansing
Enter with a lit leaf bundle and water; smoke “introduces” you to house spirits.
Land, Forest, and Animals
Owl at Dusk
An owl calling near the home is a serious omen; stay respectful and indoors.
Flying Fox Crossing
A bat crossing low over the path at sunset warns to delay a journey.
Eagle Above
An eagle circling high means good weather for inter-island trips.
Kingfisher Calls
Three sharp calls from a kingfisher “announce” a visitor.
Rooster at Night
A rooster crowing after dark signals restless spirits — avoid arguments.
Coconut Sprout Omen
A sprout leaning toward the door “leans” fortune your way.
House Gecko
Never kill a gecko; it guards the rafters from jealous eyes.
Spider on the Beam
A spider weaving above the door “knits” prosperity into the home.
No Stomping on Roots
Stamping on exposed tree roots disturbs land spirits and spoils yam harvests.
Crossing a Fallen Log
Touch the log and greet the forest softly before crossing.
Spirits, Protection, and the Unseen
Night Whistling
Whistling after sunset “calls” wandering spirits to the door.
Even-Odd Tokens
Keep an odd number of small charms for personal protection; even numbers are for gifts.
Blue Beads
A single blue bead at the window is said to “cool” envy.
Coconut-Oil Light
A small coconut-oil lamp during storms reassures household spirits.
Do Not Point at Graves
Pointing invites lingering attention — use a chin or lips to gesture.
Name Taboos
Avoid saying a recently departed person’s name aloud; speak in respectful circumlocutions.
Ancestor Plate
Leave a taste of feast foods on a side plate to honor the ancestors.
Knock on Wood
Three light taps on a door post “break” ill-spoken predictions.
Frigatebird Feather
A found feather is protective at sea; never pluck one from a living bird.
Eclipse Quiet
During an eclipse, houses go quiet so spirits pass without distraction.
Life Stages and Family
Newborn’s First Night
A husk of coconut shell near the cradle “catches” stray glances.
First Haircut
Clippings are buried under a fruit tree so the child “grows” sweetly.
No Loud Praise
Over-praising a baby invites envy; admire softly and touch the foot for grounding.
Wedding Knots
Three knots in a sash “bind” harmony; never tie an even number.
Shell-Money Exchange
Passing shell money clockwise among families “keeps” affection circulating.
Mother’s First Meal
A new mother’s first cooked taro is shared only within the house to retain strength.
Coconut Oil & Babies
A thin oil line on the forehead “shines” away restless dreams.
Needles at Night
Do not sew after dark; the moving point “snags” family luck.
Herb Bath Before Travel
A quick rinse with aromatic leaves “loosens” clinging envy.
Calling Children at Dusk
Do not shout a child’s name at dusk; call with a clap or soft whistle to avoid confusing spirits.
Gardens, Weather, and Work
Planting by the Moon
Root crops on the waning moon; leafy greens on the waxing for vigor.
Sudden Door Slam
If doors slam without wind, ancestors are alerting you — postpone departures.
Knife in the Ground
Planting a blade by the path is said to “cut” heavy rain.
North Wind Pause
A sudden cool wind from the north tells builders to stop roofing until morning.
Broken Net
Mend nets in silence; jokes “weave” holes back in.
Falling Leaf
A leaf drifting through the doorway means a message from someone far away.
Ant Parade
Ants crossing the threshold toward the hearth hint at incoming wealth.
Noon Heat
Avoid bathing in rivers at noon; waters are “owned” by spirits at that hour.
Yam Twins
A yam splitting into two promises twins in the family.
Stool Omen
A stool toppling on its own suggests a visitor bearing news.
Dreams, Omens, and Numbers
Dream of Sharks
Sharks in dreams can signal ancestral attention — show respect at the shoreline.
Jumping Fish at Night
Fish splashing near the landing after midnight warn to delay travel.
Black Moth Indoors
A large dark moth circling the lamp can portend serious news.
Ringing Ears
Right ear: someone praises you. Left ear: someone criticizes — tug the lobe to “cut” it.
Nine for Fortune
Nine strands of tiny beads are carried as a travel charm.
Coin in the Sand
Burying a coin near the doorstep “anchors” prosperity to the house.
Eye Twitch
Right eye twitch before dawn signals a helpful meeting that day.
Candle “Tears”
A candle that drips heavily during prayer hints at grief nearby.
Do Not Lend Salt at Night
Lending salt after dark “lends out” your household luck.
Refresh Amulets
Old charms are returned to the sea or a shrine before renewing protection.
Notes on Local Myth
Adaro Stories
Across Makira and neighboring islands, people tell of Adaro — powerful sea-linked spirits sometimes described as the restless part of a person. Fisherfolk speak carefully about them, especially at night on the water.
Sources
- Adaro (mythology) — background on Makira beliefs
- Burt, B. (1988). “The Meaning of Tabu in a Solomon Islands Society.”
- ABC News — Shell money and bridewealth in Solomon Islands
- VisitSolomons (official tourism) — tradition of shell money
- BirdLife International — Fearful Owl (Nesasio solomonensis) fact-sheet
- Victoria Univ. of Wellington — Customary land & legal pluralism
- Island Culture Archival Support — Using shell money in Langalanga