Biographical entry: Bula, Daniel (1895 - 1922)

Born
1895
Died
30 September 1922

Details

Daniel Bula was born on Vella Lavella in about 1895. He had elongated ear lobes with holes cut in the centre, as was the island's fashion. When, as a child, he had a bad eye infection he was helped by Methodist missionary Rev. Reginald C. Nicholson (q.v.), after which he moved to Nicholson's house as his 'cook boy'. He also helped Nicholson in his missionary work around Vella Lavella and Ranonga. By 1911, when he was sixteen Bula dedicated himself to Christianity and also learned to do basic medical work. He also began a refuge for orphans where up to sixteen boys lived. During 1916, he spent the year in Australia and New Zealand on a Methodist speaking tour. In 1921, Bula married Rini Vailoduri and became a catechist and medical assistant. Daniel died on 30 September 1922. He was the subject of Nicholson's book, The Son of a Savage. (Nicholson 1924; Taylor 2002, 26)

Published resources

Books

  • Nicholson, Reginald Chapman, The Son of a Savage: The Story of Daniel Bula, 1st edn, Epworth Press, New York, 1924. Details

Book Sections

  • Taylor, Phil, 'Daniel Bula: First Convert on Vella Lavella', in Alan Leadley (ed.), Ever Widening Circles: Stories of Some Influential Methodist Leaders in Solomon Islands and Bougainville/Buka, Wesley Historical Society (New Zealand), Auckland, 2002, pp. 25-26. Details

Images

Title
Daniel Bula, Methodist leader from Vella Lavella
Type
Image
Date
1920s
Source
McDonald Collection

Details

Title
Ian, son of Rev. R.C. Nicholson and Daniel Bula, Vella Lavella Island c1915
Type
Image
Date
c. 1915
Source
McDonald Collection

Details