Sad Faces of Guadalcanal, a photo from Guadalcanal, West

Photographer's Note

Melanesian have dark skins, but many have naturally blond hair (see the blond mop in the lower left), and some even have bright blue eyes. The question that begs an answer: "Are they natural blonds," "Have they used peroxide," or "Are they suffering from malnutrition?" These are the three possible explanations for blond hair and also for blue eyes among dark-skinned people. As I looked into the question, I discovered that the occurrence of blond hair (and frequently blue eyes) among the Melanesians is an unresolved question among anthropologists. Blonds are entirely natural, but their incongruous features represent a mutation. They are not, however, related to the blonds of Scandinavia.

Here the children had congregated at the base of a WWII monument on a hilltop in Guadalcanal. A horrific battle took place 75 years ago and thousands of American and Japanese soldiers perished. The actual monument consists of a platform with a two-meter-tall triangular obelisk. Most of the children are not looking at the camera, but a dozen different cameras all firing simultaneously. The children all appear stern but curious. When I showed them their own pictures on the screen of my camera, they broke into smiles. Despite the abject poverty prevailing on the island, there was absolutely no begging.

In my travels, in Europe I've seen Troy and Gallipoli, Sevastopol and Hastings, and, in the United States, I live next to a Civil War Battlefields... It is a sad truism uttered by an old American President, Herbert Hoover, "Old men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die."

The Islanders of Oceania are divided culturally into three groups: the "Melanesian" who migrated to the present day Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia; the islanders who migrated to the Marshall Islands, Papua — New Guinea, and Mariana Islands (and to the north of Melanesia) are known as the "Micronesians." A more expansive area was settled by the "Polynesians" who migrated to Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Tonga, New Zealand... These migrations are thought to have taken place between 3000-1000 BC. In Workshop 1 appears a map showing the three cultural groups. Of course, the Aborigines of Australia date back about 35,000 years and are known to have come from Africa by way of southern Asia.

Near the lower left of the photo are seen relics collected from the battlefield — spent shells, spoons, and coca cola bottles. In Workshop 2 is a close-up of the war relics dug out from the ground.

holmertz, ikeharel, papagolf21, cornejo, PaulVDV, jean113, bukitgolfb301, jhm, COSTANTINO, Fis2, Royaldevon, Cricri, GyurMaster has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2017-07-03 5:55

Hello Bulent,
A rather poignant image given the location and the expressions of dejection on the children's faces. Fine technical realisation. Interesting and informative note.

holmertz (101930) 2017-07-03 6:38

Hello Bülent,
The children are generally good-looking and their not so happy faces may be because they are bewildered by the many tourists taking photos of them from all directions. I remember thinking long ago that the blond hair may have been due to under-nourishment, but obviously the reason is quite different, however unknown. I spite of poverty these kids look well dressed and well nourished. It's a nice and colorful photo with an informative note.
Kind regards,
Gert

papagolf21 (152605) 2017-07-03 7:35

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Voilà un portrait général fort bien dressé. Il faut reconnaître que les enfants n'engendrent pas la gaieté.
L'historique raconté à travers la note rappelle les batailles meurtrières qui ont fait rage.
“La guerre, c’est la guerre des hommes ; la paix, c’est la guerre des idées.”
Très bon sujet, douloureux, mais il existe.
Amitiés.
Philippe

cornejo (61504) 2017-07-03 10:05

Hello Bulent, very good photo of this interesting scene of daily life, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.

Good afternoon and happy week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

Tue (91488) 2017-07-03 12:07

Hello Bulent,
Excellent photo of this gathering of all the children around the monument. You captured the serious expressions on their faces really well and it's nice that they are all looking towards some point to your right. Their bright clothes make a vivid photo and the many bottles are an interesting detail.
Lars

PaulVDV (62770) 2017-07-03 12:27

Hello Bülent,
A very interesting note about the migrations of the different people who live in Oceania, New Zealand and Australia. There's a huge difference in time between the migration of the Aborigines of Australia and the other people in Oceania.
To see the differences between ethnic Melanesians, Micronesians and Polynesians, we should see these people in one photo. But they live far from each other.
It's a fact that these people are quite unprecedented for the average European, including myself.
These children indeed all look very serious, some of them even worried.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (138551) 2017-07-03 15:53

Hi Bulent,thanks a lot for your interesting note about the blond hairs of the local people. And thanks too for this very explicative pic,i don't know what happens in this moment,no one is smiling..ehhe...it seems that they are watching a tragedy..eheh...another lovely post from your very far trip,well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ChrisJ (171146) 2017-07-03 16:38

Hello Bulent

Such a contrast to the smiling faces of a few moments later. Good sharpness color and saturation of these Melanesian children. The map in the workshop is very useful. A poignant battlefield memorial WWII scene. Tfs!

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2017-07-03 16:52

Hi dear Bulent

Very intersting group portrait shot. Yes as you said they seemed to be not so happy judging from thier faces. Thier colorful clothes are very colorful very impressive image at all.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

ikeharel (112395) 2017-07-03 21:55

Most of the kids were looking at an object o teh side, no one was directly towards you, Bulent - and this made the scene even more interesting and authentic.
Besides, what you had written in your note is a great documentary about a plce most people would never visit, just du to the distant location.
Wish you a happy July 4th holiday,
Ike

emka (157280) 2017-07-04 0:14

Hello Bulent , Indeed tit is very interesting that some Melanesian people have naturally blond hair and blue eyes. It is a recessive feature. But they probably do not mix much with the other people. Interesting to see this group of children. They look pensive, maybe angry, maybe sad, but none is smiling.

Have a nice day

Malgo

BennyV (34730) 2017-07-04 3:58

A fine and colourful collection of kids with some really expressive faces. The blonde hairs are bizarre, I assume they're dyed? ... And this is the point where I start reading your note. A good TE post can be a joy! Thank you, Bulent. Cheers from Antwerp.

Benny

jhm (211734) 2017-07-04 5:29

Dear Bulent,

I think one reply, this people are very gladly blond, this shall the people have glad.
Notwithstanding nobody are malnourished
This is an extraordinarily picture but wonderful composition.
Sharp and clear presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Kindest regards,
John.

COSTANTINO (115451) 2017-07-04 12:31

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
what could I say for this excellent photo?
only greetings without comments
the title describes everyhting
the sad faces in Guadalcanal
welldone and wellseen
regards
Costantino

Fis2 (169635) 2017-07-04 12:51

Witaj Bulent!
Children are a great motive for the photographer.
Sympathetic faces make impressive.
Nice scene, children are sad :(
Very interesting note.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

kasianowak (17672) 2017-07-04 13:29

Hi Bulent
An unusual group portrait with troubled looks and unhappy faces. In spite of all the colours we can feel the tension.
Thank you for the fascinating note too.
Best wishes
Kasia

Royaldevon (85606) 2017-07-04 13:50

Hello Bulent,

These children look to be a group united in curiosity, some wondering about the relics, most showing unashamed curiosity at something in the distance, maybe the other photographers that you mention.
They do make an interesting group to study, especially their body language.
Despite poverty, they look well dressed and well fed.
No wonder you wanted to photograph them; and they were unaware of you as a photographer. They make an entrancing group of infinite variety. You dis well to capture them so well and place them in a fine composition.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pajaran (114821) 2017-07-05 0:32

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazana deca, dobar kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak. Deca su nase najvece bogatstvo i buducnost.
Sve je vise siromasnih i gladne dece u svetu.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Good work, beautifully shown children, good contrast, beautiful colors, nice moment. Children are our greatest wealth and future.
There are more and more poor and hungry children in the world.
All the best.

rychem (72187) 2017-07-05 9:06

A beautiful and colorful photo, the children are a thankful subject, they look so optimistic, very well captured
regards Ryszard

Cricri (176) 2017-07-06 8:29

Hi Bulent
Une note a la fois intéressante et triste,
Ces enfants ont le regard triste et fatiguée, belle photo d'enfants dans cette triste vie
Belle soirée
cricri

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-07-08 3:22

Hello Bulent
Great illustrating picture with your extended informative note.
Looking at the serious faces of these children of various ages is fascinating.
Excellent work, have a good weekend, Groet Rob

GyurMaster (24668) 2017-07-13 8:45

Hello again,

It is a good photo in its own, but coupled with the interesting description its even better.

Best Wishes,
Gy

serp2000 (47063) 2017-09-08 11:48

Hello, Bulent,
But I can't say they have sad faces. I can see very different emotions and characters. The dark skin and almost European details of the faces. And as you said the blond hairs.
As always very informative note and excellent photo!
Best wishes from cool rainy Urals!
Serghei