Adaro

The term adaro refers to two distinct classes of supernatural beings in the mythology of Makira island in the Solomon Islands.

The first class comprises ghosts that may inhabit animals, trees, stones, or remain in their former villages. These ghosts can be summoned through specific rituals to harm living people from a distance. The second class consists of elemental spirits that feature prominently in the island's various creation narratives.

The word adaro originates from the Arosi language and carries multiple meanings including 'corpse,' 'ghost,' 'soul,' and 'spirit.' According to Makiran belief, each person possesses two souls: the malevolent adaro and the benevolent aunga. After death, the aunga departs from the world while the adaro remains.

Ghost-type adaro typically inhabit sharks or other marine creatures, endowing them with human intelligence and the ability to assist their living relatives. Shark-adaro are known to seize victims from canoes and drag them—still alive—to the adaro's relatives. Snake-adaro may coil in a victim's dwelling, capturing their aunga during dreams and causing illness and eventual death.

Spirit-type adaro embody various elemental forces surrounding Makira island, such as the sea and rainbow. These spirits play significant roles in the creation myths of different matrilineages. Some adaro serve as guardians or rulers of Rotomana, the afterlife destination for the aunga. The location of Rotomana varies according to regional beliefs: for north shore inhabitants, it exists in the Olu Malau Islands, while western coast residents identify it with islands in the Marau Sound.