Adaro
from the Arosi language, meaning corpse, ghost, soul, or spirit
Ghosts and elemental spirits from Makira island in the Solomon Islands
Adaro refers to two types of beings in the beliefs of Makira island. One type is a ghost that can harm people or help relatives. The other type is an elemental spirit linked to creation stories.
- Adaro means ghost or spirit in the Arosi language
- Makirans believe people have two souls: aunga and adaro
- Ghost adaro can enter sharks to attack people
- Elemental adaro spirits appear in creation stories
- Rotomana is the destination for the good soul after death
What it is
The term adaro describes two separate kinds of supernatural entities in the culture of Makira island. The first kind consists of ghosts left behind after death. These spirits can stay in a village or move into objects like trees or stones. They are also known to enter animals, especially sharks. The second kind includes elemental spirits found in nature. These beings appear in local stories about how the world was made. Both types are central to the spiritual understanding of the islanders.
Where it comes from
The word comes from the Arosi language spoken on Makira. It carries several meanings, including corpse, ghost, soul, and spirit. Local belief holds that every person has two souls. One soul is good and leaves the body after death. The other soul is harmful and stays behind as an adaro. This distinction explains why some spirits are feared while others are respected.
Adaro, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Makira mythology
What it is for
Adaro ghosts are believed to have power over living people. With the right requests, they can be asked to hurt or kill someone far away. When they enter sharks, they may drag victims from boats to their relatives. Snake adaros might coil in homes and steal a person's good soul during sleep, causing illness. Elemental adaros guard places where the good souls go after death.
Peoples and places
These beliefs belong to the people of Makira island in the Solomon Islands. Different groups on the island see different locations as the resting place for good souls. For example, those on the north shore look to the Olu Malau Islands. People on the west coast point to islands in Marau Sound. These places are called Rotomana and are guarded by specific adaro spirits.
At a glance: who, where and when
Belief worlds
What people believe
Makiran spirituality divides the soul into two parts. The aunga is the benevolent part that travels to the Rotomana after death. The adaro is the malignant part that remains active in the world. Elemental adaro spirits control natural forces like the sea and rainbows. They are involved in the creation tales of various family lines on the island.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Anthropologists have recorded these beliefs in journals and dictionaries. Researchers note the complexity of the dual soul concept. They describe how the adaro fits into the broader cultural framework of Melanesia. The accounts highlight the distinct roles of harmful ghosts versus helpful ancestral spirits.
Questions people ask about Adaro
What does the word adaro mean?
In the Arosi language of Makira island, adaro means corpse, ghost, soul, or spirit. It refers to the harmful half of a person's soul that stays behind after death.
Are all adaro spirits dangerous?
No. There are two types. Ghost adaro can harm people but also help relatives. Elemental adaro are spirits of nature involved in creation myths and guarding the afterlife.
Where do the good souls go after death?
The good soul, called aunga, goes to a place called Rotomana. This location varies by region, such as the Olu Malau Islands or Marau Sound.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Adaro (mythology)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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