Last modified: 2007-10-28 by ian macdonald
Keywords: north solomons | bougainville | republic of mekamui | head dress | upei |
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![[North Solomons Province (Papua New Guinea)]](../images/p/pg-ns.gif)
image
image by Željko Heimer, 3 October 2002
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In the Flags of Paradise 1996 chart [brt96], North Solomons (Bougainville) appears similar to that shown above, but with a much smaller, centered emblem.
Ivan Sache (?)
The "device" in the centre of the Bougainville flag is a woven head dress. It is worn by young men in the north of the Island as an expression of their entry into manhood.
Kevin Morris, 20 May 1999
North Solomons: A blue background (for the sea) surrounds a white outer ring (shell), an inner ring with green triangles (islands), a black circle (for the colour of the people), and a red and white upei (traditional male initiation hat).
David Cohen, 3 August 1999
Bougainville has a blue flag with a black disk surrounded by white and green triangles within a thin white circle. In the disk there is a red and white device. (...) Ratio 3:5. Source: Album des Pavillons 2000 [pay00].
Željko Heimer, 4 July 1996 and 3 October 2002
Just a few words on the matter. Bougainville is presently a part of Papua New Guinea. The meeting referred to was held to determine whether those opposed to the status of the island would split with the opposition party (Bougainville Interim Government (BIG)) and the (Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA)). I would not call this a national flag rather a subnational or flag of an aspirant people, as there is not presently a recognized nation, except through the Unrepresented Nations and People's Organization (UNPO) where the Bougainville Interim Government represents these people.
According to UNPO, the Lincoln Agreement, signed early in 1998, is supposed to provide for elections for a reconciliation government. However, Papua New Guinea has steadfastly denied that Bougainville/Republic of Mekamui will be granted independence. News releases indicate the Republic of Mekamui National Chief's Assembly and Mekamui Defense Force will seek this independence peacefully. The break, led by Francis Ona, resulted in his dissatisfaction with the direction of the BRA/BIG. BIG is led by Joseph Kabui, the Republic of Mekamui by Francis Ona. When the flag is finally available in a graphic format, I suggest it be put in with the flag of BIG due to the status.
Phil Nelson, 14 August 1998
After 1st September 1975 flag of the republic was in use. It's described 15-9-75: the flag is dark blue signifying the Pacific Ocean where our country is; green in the circle signifies our rich island; the
jagged white shell is our money; the black signifies our skin color of which we are very proud and is unique in the Pacific, the hat in the centre is called upe worn by young men at the transition period from adolescence to manhood. The stripes on the hat (red)-centre stands for men and those at the side for women.
Jaume Ollé, 28 August 1999
The flag of North Solomons / Bougainville or "Meekamui" was originally
reported upon by F.S.A. Member, Ralph Kelly, in the Society's journal, "Crux
Australis", Vol. VI, No.2-26 - April 1990 on page 59, which stated that this
was first raised on the 17 May 1990 as part of the then unilateral declaration
of independence as the "Republic of Bougainville". This flag, which was retained
as part of the 1997-98 peace agreement to end the island's succession war from
P.N.G., has also been graphically published in several publications, such as,
the "Flags of Non-Independence" Chart (1990), "Flags
of Paradise" Chart (1996), and "The World Encyclopedia of Flags" - p.182
(1999).
Ralph Bartlett, 18 June 2005