The religious self‐alteration of Shem Irofa'alu during the anti‐colonial Maasina Rule in Solomon Islands (1944–1953)

This essay explores the post-World War Two anti-colonial Maasina Rule in north Malaita, Solomon Islands, to show how a church leader Shem Irofa'alu decided establish religious movement independent of state and traditional evangelical church. Irofa'alu's indexes an important moment culture change towards increasing enthusiasm for often-overlooked Christianity-based forms sovereignty region. It highlights that was not only powerful rupture social processes, but also sharpened growing division between role shows his influence peaked 1948 1950 then went into rapid decline. fortune coincided with critical turning point colonial government's attempts end through appeasement. No longer head Malu'u sub-district frustrated about mother church's governance, retreated home area set establishing new church, Boboa (‘Foundation’), first attempt at organizing self-governing assembly before introducing Jehovah's Witnesses Malaita. In later years, became prophet-exemplar generations leaders trying Malaitan sovereignties based on their own power move truth prophecies away from foreign organizations.