Malaita They first saw the island from Santa Isabel, where it is called Mala. One theory is that "ita" was added on, as the Bughotu word for up or east, or in this context "there." Bishop George Augustus Selwyn referred to it as Malanta in 1850. Mala was the name used under British control; now Malaita is used for official purposes. The name Big Malaita is also used to distinguish it from the smaller South Malaita Island. Malaita was, along with the other Solomon Islands, settled by Austronesian speakers between 5000 and 3500 years ago; the earlier Papuan speakers are thought
South Malaita Island Ruru Movement. High Chief: The ruling chief in South Malaita are those upper-hand people that inherit the chiefly bloodline and right to govern and rule each (Iola). The Ououinemauri is the elect high chief chosen to govern and administer the council of Chief around Small Malaita. The kingdom (Iola) exist in Mwalamwaimwei are subdivided by its boundary and territory with the chain of people who settle according to the tribes and clans across the island. Each Iola is governed by their chief( whether 2,3 or 4 chief) is setup in the kingdom based on their status in the Iola. -