Everyday, people use to see locals selling and displaying carvings in villages and along the streets in Honiara. Little did people tend to look or wonder what significant contribution this trade of art contributes into people’s lives and the society as a whole. Solomon Women’s paper did an exclusive interview with a local carver from Western Province who recently visited Honiara with his carvings. This is what he shared about the experience inside a carver’s business.
“My name is Paul John and I come from Viru passage in Western Province. I am a carver and my business is selling carvings. I specialize in making all kinds of carvings ranging from war canoes, bowls, fish, shark, birds, and all sorts. I’m also good at sales as well. I can price my own goods and do a successful sale.
“However, I must say making a carving is not an easy job. There are lots of efforts put into the work. For instance, we have to use hand tools, polish the carving with sandpaper and do the sale after pricing our products,” he said.
Paul said he learnt this skill since he was twelve years old from his father. Today, he has developed into his daily income.
“Most of my customers are tourists from Europe especially, from Germany, France and some Americans.
“Most of our carvers in the village have enjoyed the blessings of the legacy been passed on to us by our ancestors in carving making.
“The carving business is very helpful for me because I can support my family through the income I earn from the products,” he said.
Through this business Paul is also reaping many benefits. One of the successes he attested is giving his tithe faithfully.
“I always see blessings in my business despite having all kinds of needs in a very hard earning economy.
“Whenever I travel to Honiara I bring my products to sell for my daily living. I see the carving skill as a blessing given to our family.
However, he said sadly that today business opportunity is not good because envy and jealousy is an issue faced in the village, which has really affecting the flow of his business.
Also increased competition has caused him and other village carvers to lower their price and not enjoying good profit margins they usually satisfied with.
“For most of us carvers in the village, we don’t see or experience any support whatsoever from the Government.
“Maybe a carver in Honiara may have benefited from some Government support but for us, we struggle on our own trying to do business and support our families.
“The number one need we would like to see the Government address for us carvers is to provide avenues and opportunities where our business can grow and progress because carving business is our only means of supporting our families to buy school fees and meet other basic needs and wants.
“The cost of living has increased hugely therefore, it is very expensive to support families through this trade.
“If the Government can provide more support and open markets for us to trade, then in the future we can contribute positively to the country’s economy. “ I believe if we can work together with the Government as partners, we can help attract more tourists and foreign income to boost our local economy,” he concluded.
