Jonathan Fiifii'i

Who was Jonathan Fiifii'i?

Jonathan Fiifii'i was born in 1921 was a Kwaio at Ane'emae near Oloburi, Malaita, Solomon Islands. His father was Buumae and mother Dafua.

He was a founder member of Maasina Ruru in 1945, the independence movement which he started with Nori and Aliki Nono'oohimae whom he met while serving in the Solomon Islands Labour Corps during World War 2.

After being arrested and held by the British administration as a political prisoner he was released he continued to be involved in politics. Firstly in Subdistrict Committee in Ngarinaasuru, politics and later served in the pre-independence Governing Council. He also joined the Legislative Assembly and in 1972 he became Minister of Home Affairs in Solomon Mamaloni's government.

He always remained critical of the government and even after independence remained so. He formed the Kwaio Cultural Centre in 1979.

In 1982 he wrote his autobiography From pig-theft to parliament, which was translated and edited by Roger Keesing.