本書是是中研院民族所嶄新的「學術普及類」出版計畫的第一本，並由中研院民族所與所羅門群島國家博物館共同出版，是民族所作為學術機構進行知識回饋的一環。民族所副研究員郭佩宜長期於所羅門群島Langalanga地區做田野工作，與在地文史工作者合作，以雙語形式（當地Wala語、英語）書寫傳統。全書主要分成三大部分，敘述Langalanga的歷史文化、生計生活，以及生命歷程與生命儀禮。
The Wala reside in the Langalanga Lagoon on the west coast of Malaita island, Solomon Islands. Written by local writers in collaboration with an academic researcher, the purpose of this book, Birana i Wala, is to preserve a written document of the fast disappearing Wala tradition (falafala/kastom) for the people of Wala and their future generations. The book is divided into three major parts. Part One introduces Wala culture and society, including their history, kinship and social organization, religious beliefs, and social norms. Part Two illustrates daily life in the lagoon, in particular Wala heritage of shell money, fishing and canoe. Part Three explores the rites of passage in Wala lives, from birth, childhood, the teenage period, marriage to the end of life.
The Wala reside in the Langalanga Lagoon on the west coast of Malaita island, Solomon Islands. Written by local writers in collaboration with an academic researcher, the purpose of this book, Birana i Wala, is to preserve a written document of the fast disappearing Wala tradition (falafala/kastom) for the people of Wala and their future generations. The book is divided into three major parts. Part One introduces Wala culture and society, including their history, kinship and social organization, religious beliefs, and social norms. Part Two illustrates daily life in the lagoon, in particular Wala heritage of shell money, fishing and canoe. Part Three explores the rites of passage in Wala lives, from birth, childhood, the teenage period, marriage to the end of life.