Page 342 - THE MELANESIA DIASPORA FILE CETAK ISI 10022017

The constructive relations and symbiosis of a tree is analogous with life that flows
naturally from the source to the branches and twigs. In the local term they have ‘tlaef’ (Uab
Meto, Timorese language). The speculation of ‘tlaef’ in the context of Timor People always
goes to the term ‘sufa’ // ‘kaun,’ flower and fruit. The metaphorical meaning behind it is that
the network in the generations in human life always starts from a tree, bark, branch, and
twig, then flower and fruit, which are constructed to illustrate the wholeness that cannot be
taken apart from each other in this universe. Recent generations cannot get away from their
predecessors, which were planted and built by the ancestors (and God) since the beginning
of time (Neonbasu, 2011). See also (Fox, 1989, 1995, McWilliam, 1997, 2002).

Reunification of the Understanding of Melanesia
The understanding of Oceania is based on an anthropological linguistic reflection about
Austronesia reality to describe the spreading of the Melanesian race. It is hoped that this
understanding can guide the review about the whole understanding on the reality of the
Melanesian race. This understanding aims at building the feeling of having the same race,
so in the end they can find the similarity in order to do all the activities together. The
Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is a positive effort toward the same goal.

Notes on the Melanesian Spearhead Group
Who and what is actually the Melanesian Spearhead Group? Levi (2004) elaborated on the
historical founding of Melanesian Spearhead Group. The main mission of the Melanesian
Spearhead Group is the result of contextual reflection about how important it is to
build prosperity in the region, in which case is among the community of the Melanesian
race. The initial name of Melanesian Spearhead Group was The Pacific Islands Forum
Community (PIFC). The first community began from a previous meeting called South
Pacific Commission (SPC) which after years after being established developed into PIFC.
The old name with the new face happened after Australia and New Zealand joined. Timor
Leste and New Caledonia then joined as observers. The name kept changing and after
Australia joined, the organization became the South Pacific Forum (SPF) to increase the
participation and activities in the crucial center of the South Pacific that consisted mostly
of poor areas (Levi, 2004).
Several Polynesian countries, especially those under the authority of the USA also
joined SPF in order to expand trade in the Pacific. These fundamental goals to ‘establish
a mutual commitment’ to improve the economy and relationships among the Pacific

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