We are a matrilineal society, and women give life.

Ms Mirinka said Bougainville is a matrilineal society but this has not been reflected in the region's leadership.

The Goddess was deeply revered as the one who bestowed the rights of shepherdship and kingship through a matrilineal society.

They included more women in their troops than usual because Bougainville is a matrilineal society: land is passed from mother to daughter.

As had always been the case in matrilineal societies, prolong society had effectively done away with the concept of bastardy.