Susubona Mother's Sigo Bobone

Sigo Bobone is a practice among mothers in Isabel Province and likely other communities across the Solomon Islands. Mothers visit newborn babies bearing simple gifts, whatever they can afford, soap, matches, betel nuts, coconut fruits, and the warmth of their presence. The dances and songs are always the highlight. This song is sung in the Bugotu dialect. The spelling may not be perfect enough for AI to sing it and do it full justice, but the feeling it carries needs no translation. Every time I hear this song it gives me pure joy and a deep appreciation of God's love shown through simple, human ways. These mothers welcomed my baby girl who had already turned one, born in another island country, and gave her the most fitting welcome she could have received. After a while, every time she heard the song her eyes would light up. That is what this song is, love made visible by mothers who had very little but gave everything they had.