Place: Polynesian Outliers
Details
The Polynesian Outliers are a small number of islands which fringe the main Solomon Islands, the people of which speak Polynesian languages closely related to those of Samoa and Tonga. It is believed that Polynesian migrants mainly settled these islands, moving north from Samoa and Tonga after the original Austronesian migrations. These Outliers include Sikaiana and Ontong Java in Malaita Province, Taumako, Pileni, Tikopia and Anuta in Temotu Province, and Rennell and Bellona (a separate Province) south of Guadalcanal. These Polynesian back-migrations are thought to have occurred at different times over the previous thousand years, although there is some earlier migration. (Shapiro 1933; Ward, Webb, and Levison 1973)