Tetepare Island

Tetepare Island is an island in Western Province, in the independent nation of Solomon Islands. Tetepare supports pristine lowland rainforest and a rich inshore marine area. Tetepare Island is identified as an area with high biodiversity and conservation values. The meaning of the name is uncertain; it most probably means "wild pig" or "fighting boar" because the island was (and to some degree still is) famous for these animals among inhabitants of the region. The local residents were apparently once a distinct ethnic group; a Tetepare language and unique traditions are attested, but information is fragmentary. Like their neighbors on Rendova Island and New Georgia, they appear to have been swidden agriculturalist, and to have occasionally practiced headhunting. But the island was abandoned in the mid-19th century, with the locals dispersing to New Georgia, Roviana Lagoon, Vona Vona Lagoon, Nggatokae and Ranongga. At the western tip, a 3.75-square-kilometre (1.45-square-mile) coconut plantation was established in 1907–1918, but this declined since World War II and all maintenance ceased after 1990. Secondary forest is now reclaiming this area.

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