Photo and caption by Michelle O'Connor

Wogasia Festival on the Island of Santa Catalina at the eastern tip of Makira Province in Solomon Islands, takes place in May each year to mark the start of the new yam and pana harvest. The festival also serves as a medium to rid the two tribes on the Island, the Aumea and Ataua tribes of disease and welcome good health for the coming year. In this photo boys from the two tribes are marking the end of the festival by the blowing of conch shells. The shells are then passed to the women of the two tribes who then wash the shells in the sea.

Location: Wogasia Festival, Makira Province, Solomon Islands