PNG Kumuls first flight on RLWC mission is set at 50kph

PNG Kumuls launched their first flight from home ground at 50kph speed against a Wales wind strength of 6knots which was felt after flying for almost 80 minutes before the full length of the day's journey. 

The flight took off at a roaring crowd of 14 800 officially confirmed at the newly commissioned Oil Search National Football Stadium.

There are another two more flights set to be launched by PNG Kumuls from the same site in Port Moresby and the experts within the team led by chief engineer, Michael Marum are studying the weather patterns beforehand.

In the second flight, more of the strong turbulence is expected from the Ireland wind with high atmospheric pressures that are highly likely to cause havoc on the second Kumul mission. On the other hand, the final launching of the Kumul mission from Port Moresby will be against a new waves of wind blowing in from the United States of America which have caused moderate damage to the Fijian expertise team who have more ambitions on the mission but struggled to navigate through.

There is intense expectation on PNG Kumul mission by the citizens to successfully launch the flights throughout the 80 minutes on the remaining two missions after the first against Wales wind was a success. The uncertainty is on the atmospheric pressures and turbulence from Ireland win, an area  that seems to be the epicenter of the atmospheric pressures and turbulence apart from Australia, New Zealand and England winds which are frequents to experience on the missions. These winds have been producing storms and cyclones over the years while combining with warmer air pressures from the Pacific Ocean.

However, due to the climate changes and shifts in weather patterns, the Pacific Islands air pressures are scientist's new area of focus to study as it is expected to bring in extraordinary and unexpected disaster to cause havoc on the RLWC mission.

Now there seems to be so much talk about new and developing atmospheric pressures from the Pacific Islands and a strong turbulence is expected from Pacific Islands areas like Tonga and Fiji. These Pacific Islanders have managed to navigate well in their previous missions encounters. The expected adverse atmospheric pressure in Pacific Islands is due to low air pressure in New Zealand, Australia or English areas which used to be the area of forecast before.

When looking into the forecasts of the days ahead, Tonga is developing an extreme pressure that will cause much damage to the most anticipated missions of Australian, New Zealand and Ireland if it will manage to pass through the intense pressure of Samoa who are vying to be the best in the Pacific too.

On the series of launching events, Fiji's mission against United States high winds paid well with its NRL trained and experienced crews who navigated the 80 minutes successfully with 58kph even when the United States wind speed was at 12knots.

For PNG, uncertainty after the series of predictions with adverse alert from Wales atmospheric pressure and strong wind warnings were carefully navigated by some newly graduated team of young crews from the hunting zones academy of PNG.

The chief engineer for Kumuls, Michael Marum did appointed a captain of the mission who always does flawless number one role at the back and forefront with crews comprising of experienced professionals. There were four (4) Jack of all trades were part of the team to helped out the other crews to ensure the first Kumul flight on RLWC mission was steady towards 50/kph or above the range.



There are so much work needed to do in order to launch the Kumul's second flight against Ireland's strong winds and atmospheric pressures as well as last flight against United State's strong and high speed wind. The early warning signals are flood into the Kumuls headquarters and pressures are developing but no one is panicked yet. PNG Kumuls is eager to soar high above for the 8million people this time when the opportunity was given on the home soil to do the launching of its flight which was successful. 

The Kumuls second mission launching against Ireland is expected on Sunday  05th November, 2017 at National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The pressures are mounting and forecast is monitored on 24/7 routine with a crew named to take the mission for 80minutes before an expected crowd of 15 000. The weather forecast at the moment has been directed into Port Moresby where the Ireland wind is blowing towards and the Kumul's scientists with the engineers are monitoring the situation to quell off. 

Rest of the Pacific Islanders are believing that the Giant Polynesian Moso will emerge out of  New Zealand when the Tongan Ma'a Mate and Toa Samoa will have a electrified collision on chilling climate over the weekend. The tensions have developed ever since the tropic air pressures were moving from Tonga and Samoa towards chilling New Zealand. 

Let the Kingdom of Tonga and the treasured island of Samoa have the tug of war to regenerate Giant Moso into reality while PNG will envisage on how to navigate the ever changing and unpredictable weather patterns of RLWC.      

PNG Kumuls 50 vs Wales 6 - Port Moresby, PNG #RLWC

PNG Kumuls Vs Wales Dragon Show 

Pacific Islanders gain from PILP Training in Hawaii

From all walks of life in the pacific island nations, we have one common goal and that is to conquer and secure common grounds for a better and great pacific nation as a young and upcoming leaders - One Ocean, One Pacific Nation, PILP G5

The Pacific Island Leadership Program (PILP) runs for eleven (10) weeks and is conducted at East-West Centre in Honolulu for six (6) weeks and concludes with four (4) weeks in Taiwan. The program has been running for the last four years under different framework with specified partway for each program with the aim of creating new dimensions in leadership for young and upcoming leaders. The ‘navigating uncharted waters’ is one of the idealistic outline of the program that forms the basis in which the participants get to know the Pacific Way of leadership focused on addressing the current trends and issues

There are six (6) participants from Papua New Guinea who are among the twenty-one participants from other Pacific Island Countries attending the PILP program which is funded by the Taiwanese Government. The six participants from PNG consists of three women and another three men who work in various sectors of Papua New Guinea in both the government and non-government organisations.

The PILP training covers vast areas of leadership aspects that are designed to provide a way forward leadership capacity for Pacific Islanders to navigate and lead to overcome the current trends and hurdles experiencing in the Pacific Island Nations. The PNG participants are optimistic to take small steps to do what they can in PNG after returning to the country when the program ends. The discussions are underway with mentors at East West Centre to initiate programs that will help overcome the challenges in everyday life for the citizens of PNG and youth empowerment while addressing some of the cross-cutting issues. 

The participants from Pacific Islands comes from all walks of life and the program enables the participants to find the common grounds to address issues in the Pacific Islands Nations by integrating the learned leadership concepts into the Pacific Way. The issues of regional and national importance in relation to political, social, environmental and economic concerns are basis of the program which becomes the practical case studies for the participants. The issues are presented with different setting and scenarios which the participants discuss to find a way forward solution.

The training is intensive with classroom lectures on climate change and resilience, practical role plays of leadership issues and scenarios, site visits, group and individual case presentations which are guided by professionals who have working experience with TEDx Programs in the likes of Mr. Philippe Lemonnier and prominent leadership mentor Mr. Keith Coats, the director of Tomorrow Today Global leadership advocacy organization together with other academic professors from University of Hawaii and affiliated institutions.

The introduction of the PILP training program began with the history of Hawaii which has civilization dating back to 1800s with Kamehameha monarchy ruling the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Pacific civilization revolutionary seems to have evolved from Kingdom of Hawaii with the arrival of American Protestant Missionaries who arrived into Hawaii in 1810 and believed to have spread to other Pacific Island Nations from Hawaii to do missionary work. The Kamehameha monarchy ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii until the illegal overthrow of the Kamehameha monarchy by United States of America in 1893 and Kingdom of Hawaii was annexed to United States permanently as a state.

The ancient palace and legislative building during the times of Kamehameha monarchy still remains in downtown Honolulu and remains as a historical site for state of Hawaii. The palace has been restored into a museum and opened to public on special occasions only.

Under the PILP program, participants learns about the Pacific Island history, culture, developing trends, issues and challenges in climate change, politics, economics, social and environment. Hence, the Generation Five participants of PILP program are taking the approach towards the challenges with the slogan ‘One Ocean, One Pacific Nation’. This is to ensure that the Pacific Island nations are recognized by other developed nations of the world for the role Pacific Islands in relation to Paris Accord and others concerning the Pacific Ocean and Climate Change. The participants of Generation Five (G5) PILP realized that, though we are smaller island nations in the Pacific, we have a big tropical ocean that has spectacular marine biodiversity which connects the beautiful shorelines of the island nations, tropical warm waters and beautiful white sandy beaches which are greatly affected by the ongoing climate change. Obviously, we all the Pacific Islanders are fighting for climate change impacts and championing the resilience efforts to live the island way of life in the changing world. A major concern is to sustain and maintain the livelihood of the island life while careful engagement with marine and fisheries opportunities to avoid adverse impacts.

Apart from the academic programs, there are optional weekend activities for the PILP participants to do or learn more on the topics of interest through research, meeting with other participants on the similar program and share ideas or hiking of the popular tourist sites of Hawaii’s Oahu Island. One of the significant sites visited by the team during a weekend hike was the mount Koko Head. A vertical climb of 1,048 stairs/railroad ties, which were originally built over 60 years ago to get supplies to the military bunkers at the top during the Second World War (WWII). The Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents and its last eruption dates back to 30,000–35,000 years ago.

A good number of Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian students attends the University of Hawaii’s Manoa Campus and studying under various facilities. The informal meet and greet during the weekends for potluck at Friendship Cycle area brings the diversity into one, a home away from home feeling as families and friends.

The Melanesian treats with buai (betel nut), the Polynesian resorts to communal Kava ceremony and Micronesian appears to be the lively chef among all the islanders with their delicacy and endless smiles with jokes to blend well into the group for potluck gathering, we are Small Islands with Big Ocean or literately; small people with big heart.

The group photo of PILP G5/2018 @EWC, Hawaii

 PNG The National newspaper article link

PILP G5 hike to top of Koko Head in Hawaii

From all walks of life in the pacific island nations, we have one common goal and that is to conquer and secure common grounds for a better and great pacific nation as a young and upcoming leaders.

The recent hike undertaken by the Pacific Island Leadership Generation Five (PILP G5) participants to the top of Koko Head was one of the success activity over the weekend as a team. The motivation and guidance on the track while acceding and descending showed team strength.

A view from the base of Koko Head looks tranquil and convincing for a first timer to reach the top of the 368 meter peak within an hour but realities never seemed to exist when starting the hike on the vertical slope. Every hiker has to climb 1,048 stairs/railroad ties, which were originally built over 60 years ago to get supplies to the military bunkers at the top during the Second World War (WWII).

The Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents and its last eruption dates back to 30,000–35,000 years ago.

The curiosity to reach the top of Koko Head to capture the panoramic view of Hanauma Bay was one motivational factor for each of PILP G5 participants on the hiking group. Some of the participants have developed the interest while reading the featured articles and seen photos on social media.  The PILP leadership consultant, Mr. Philippe Lemmonier who organised the hiking led a group of eleven (11) participants from PILP G5 successfully to the peak.

The old stairway or trail proved challenging when two of the participants gave-up midway and the fastest of the group could reach the peak within 45 minutes of which approximately takes more than one hour in average for the active climbers. The site is regularly visited by everyone who lives in Hawaii for physical exercise and also gets the chance to see the remains of WWII bunkers. 

The hiking of Koko Head in some aspects strengthens the mental capability to conquer and not to quit midway given the difficulty the slope stairway presents. The climb to the top concludes achievement or similar to the scenarios in life where we all set goals and ambitions to achieve in life.

The stairway to Koko Head is frequently hiked by residents of Hawaii and tourists from all over the American states and other countries. Old and young or families alike take the hike as personal motivational activity for physical exercise and metal enrichment. PILP G5 participants who have hiked the Koko Head came to realize some practical characteristics of what has been learnt in the leadership lessons under the ‘Wayfinding’ theme and looking forward for more challenges in life.  

‘’I cannot imagine I have made it to the top after most of my times were spent in the office and never done any physical exercises in preparation to hike such a trail to the top. I took it to myself as a personal challenge and goal. Finally I made it to the top’’; said Penitito of Samoa.

The view from the top was amazing and it was first of its kind for the PILP G5 participants who felt like standing on top of Hawaii and looking down to Hanauma bay’s residential developments and part of famous Waikiki beach and area. 

The group spend approximately 30minutes taking photos and descend back to the base.

The PILP G5’s hiking of the day concluded at Hanauma beach for a swim and it was one of the experience as a team.  

PILP-G5 Participants at the top of the Koko Head Lookout Point after reaching the top
PILP G5 Hike to top of Koko Head

PNG needs to stop the talk & start acting to heighten security

It is believed that North Korea’s missile program is moving close to achieving the range to hit targets as far away as the United States and Papua New Guinea.

But it is premature that vulnerable countries like PNG openly to condemn North Korea’s intentions and possibly provoking the hermit kingdom to see PNG as a target to attack or be threatened, especially as APEC convenes in Port Moresby next year.

PNG has military support from Australia and other allies but not having significant military assets and capability leaves it in a vulnerable state.

The hostile words to North Korea expressed by the PNG's foreign affairs minister in local newspapers recently were childish and regrettable but are too late to recall.

PNG needs to be sensitive to its geopolitical alliances and affiliations so neutrality maintained. We should avoid becoming intertwined in the North Korea – America conflict.

There are already indications that PNG already may harbour terrorist elements and other transnational criminals. These criminals see PNG has a safe haven and a transit point into Australia.

On numerous occasions, unidentified foreign fishing vessels have been sighted by locals in PNG’s coastal waters and most escape with their illegal catches. This has been going on for a long time despite the establishment of the Border Protection Authority which does not have the capacity to perform the border protection task.

Each year some illegal immigrants arrive in PNG and are registered by PNG Immigration. But many more illegal immigrants cross the border from Indonesia or arrive on landing barges that bring supplies to logging camps in remote locations.

There are number of foreign businesses in PNG that recruit non-nationals to do jobs supposedly reserved for Papua New Guineans. Some of these businesses provide false information to labour and immigration officers.

For instance, the Foreign Employment Permit indicates that a migrant claims to be a manager or has trade qualifications but this person gains employment as a stock-filler, cash-register operator, delivery truck driver or something that nationals can do.

These are the obvious indicators of PNG’s weak internal security system which needs to be toughened up for our independent and sovereign nation.

In light of the North Korea issue and APEC 2018, the critical question the immigration ministry and related state agencies must answer is: ''What have you done to eradicate or minimise the internal security threats that are making our country vulnerable?”

The answer to this question will form the basis of our confidence in how secure PNG really is.

The foreign affairs minister’s statement on North Korea was too shallow and has implications for APEC and beyond.

PNG has unresolved internal security issues and, at a regional level, needs to form alliances with Pacific island nations in our mutual security interest.

These matters are much more important than a simple remark to North Korea which pretends that PNG has the capacity to defend itself against the military might and other threats from hostile countries.

PNG needs to stop the talk & start acting to heighten security

End the scourge of so-called leaders who buy people’s votes

Naith N. Lati

IN traditional Papua New Guinean society, leadership was usually vested in a person based on trust, respect and community standing.

But today individuals are able to buy their way to be leaders of their people and do not represent the true voice and concerns of the people, whether community, district or province.

The contradiction between members of parliament who boast to have been voted in by the people and the purchase of individual votes is an inevitability voters too easily forget.

The reality happens after polling day when service delivery fails to match the promises and the bribes and we wait five years for it all to happen again.

The integration into campaigning of money to buy votes has been one of the most astonishing developments. Most MPs or intending candidates need to spend a million kina to contest a national election.

A small proportion of the funds is committed to campaign logistics but mostly funds are deployed to buy votes. This gives the understanding that all MPs, one way or the other, buy their way into be the leadership.

It is a general understanding that, once a candidate is declared after the election and becomes an MP, he spends the first three or four years recovering the cost of the election campaign.

The last year or two are years for the sitting MPs to receive funding for projects that have no socio-economic value or no sustainable benefit to the people, but which get the money flowing.

Most of these projects deliver a last minute ground-breaking ceremony but never eventuate after the election.

Such projects have become the norm in PNG – a few days of high hopes and expectations as MPs dish out DSIP and PSIP funds to their supporters and cronies on projects that never eventuate.

Funds from bogus projects later becomes the cash base for the next election. About half of PNG’s MPs retain their seats and their cronies benefit rather than the population at large. It’s a money game and not a test of trust and confidence in leadership. The losers, and their supporters, lick their wounds.

We see shanty towns and districts with no power, clean water or sanitation services, but we still support the candidates in favour of money and create rowdy crowds so intending candidates feel they have support in the election.

Honest and transparent leadership at both local and national levels have vanished, just like the money vanishes after the election, and quality political leadership becomes rare in our society.

The people of PNG never seem to learn enough from each election. The remains of colonial roads, schools, hospitals and airstrips are the only indication that there was once effective leadership. We are reminded of great politicians of yesteryear like Sir Tei Abal, Sir Peter Lus, Sir Iambake Okuk, and other former leaders who were so patriotic about developing this nation.

These days, the involvement of powerful cronies with money has a lot of influence in the political system and we lack leaders who will bring services and tangible development to the people they represent.

Integrity and trust are two important aspects of leadership that should never be traded cheaply. Nowadays, the power is hung on to and the corrupt practises are hidden. There is never a project that delivers to expectations.

Despite various allegations of misconduct and corruption surrounding many MPS in recent years, few have been forced to step down from office.  Instead they go through various court processes but still hang on to power.

Where is the sense of guilt among MPs for the neglect of people dying of curable diseases, atrocious roads, overcrowded classrooms, mothers and infants dying in childbirth, hospitals with no drugs, social or community disunity, and increasing lawlessness and violence?

On the other hand, MPs and their cronies enjoys the luxury perks and privileges at the expense of the poor and desperate voters. Flying business class, driving behind tinted windows in luxury vehicles under heavily armed escort, making people feel alienated and marginalised.

It is a shame to call these MPs our leaders when actually they are serving the interests of themselves and their cronies and building their own empires and buying respect through money and corrupt acts.

Now the 2017 election has arrived and the voters must judge what kind of leadership they require. The past has gone and now we must try to change the trend. We need honest and transparent leadership at every level; leaders who can deliver tangible services and infrastructure development to improve the lives of the people.

We need to avoid the so-called leaders who try to buy their votes through bribery and rigging the election process.

We must vote wisely and with our conscience to elect transparent leaders who will serve the people’s interest meaningfully and honestly.

End the scourge of so-called leaders who buy people's vote

- Nature has respect for Grand Chief Sir. Michael Thomas Somare more than the people of PNG -

If ever in life, someone has dedicated his/her entire life to be with the people as a leader, there he/she will die restless for the love and affection he instilled with the people. Grand Chief Sir. Michael Thomas Somare, you have connected the lives of PNG into your heart. 

While it was time to bid farewell to the founding father for the nation of Papua New Guinea, the nature has led the day with the farewell. The precedence rainy and cloudy weather in Port Moresby have taken the toll to farewell you (Grand Chief) before the program from your loving and devoted citizens of this nation.


Our respect and gratitude was persistent for the set day, we waited for the nature to end its part of the program to farewell you but never gave us a way off to showcase what we have prepared for the day you bow down to politics. Our hearts sank too low and emotions were running all over as if it was your last day with us in PNG.

You were the native boy, yet with sheer determination, passion and love of this beautiful nation, you have taken the bold stand with courage to make the critical decision for PNG on the 16th of September, 1975.


We have observed the very day for 41 years with you and you still able to leading us on. You have sacrificed your family time and your personal life to ensure that your dreams from the first day of 16th September, 1975 were into reality.

Now you will be retiring from politics of this nation to be with your family and loved ones but the love that every citizens of this nation have  for you is endless as you'll be deeply remembered in our hearts each day or when 16th September clock ticks. As time goes on, we will be devoted to you with admiration and respect until you are called home and legacy will be living with us forever.


This time we bidding farewell to you but we know you will be living among us. You have connected each and everyone to your life and that will ever make you restless when you retire to be with your families. The devoted followers of you  will still keep you a good company and make you restless for it has always been your normal life and we do not want to miss you too soon.

Farewell and have a good rest Grand Chief Sir. Michael Thomas Somare.


Photo: PNGTPA Staff at the rooftop of Pacific MMI Building with their farewell banner.

The Survival of the Engan Traditional Dance – An Analysis of the Mali

By: Nathan LATI
BTHM, DWU 
_________________________________
ABSTRACT
The traditional Enga dance (Mali) is one of the traditional rituals that is gradually dying away at present due to non recognition of its significance from both modern and traditional context and there is a shifting phenomenon in cultures and languages. Previously, the traditional Enga dance (Mali) was hosted for reasons that cannot match today’s purposes. 

Furthermore, the importance of Mali from both modern and traditional perspective is not understood by majority of the Engans at present due to the current trend existing between  modernity and cultures, traditions or customs. Currently, Mali is one of the major tourist attractions in Enga getting popular with the annual Enga Cultural Show with its bandwagon ‘Sili Muli’, an all women dance (Mali) group. However, there are certain shifting cultural factors that have influenced the Engans to overlook the significance of the Mali and the authenticity of the associated cultures, traditions and customs or such of the Mali does no longer exist. The interest and eagerness to participate and learn has been minimal among the youths and the Mali is losing its purpose and authenticity. The shifting in the cultures and languages seems to have highest impact in the lives of the younger Engan generations and the focus in cultures traditions and customs get minimal attention. 

As a unique culture and tradition the Mali needs to be maintained and preserved at these times through promotion by engaging tourism and creating awareness in the best possible ways to sustain and create interest among youths to rejuvenate and protect Mali from losing its values. Enga Province has minimal economic activity and with the support of the Provincial Government with fundings in awareness, cultural promotion and preservation through tourism activities. There are possibilities of encouraging younger generations to learn how to preserve and sustain the Mali
Dance and help understand and values of the cultural and traditional aspects of Engan life. Thus significance of the traditional dance is distinguished from the modern and contemporary dance to ensure the discussions and findings of the research to propose certain mechanisms to help maintain and sustain Mali from dying away silently through modern influence.

Overview
It is interesting to see that through the influence of the one language spoken throughout the province, the cultures and customs practiced in the traditional societies are same throughout also in Enga Province unlike other provinces in the country. However, through church, education, employment and rural to urban migration have much influence on the Engan Mali and its unique cultures, customs and traditions. Hence, among the cultures, traditions and customs, Mali is one of the significant part of the Engan tradition and culture which is silently dying away. 

Though there are some Mali dance performances in the events with contemporary costumes, the authenticity and pride on the Mali dance seems to have lost its value. Out of the Mali analysis thesame detrimental factors are identified to have greater impact on the traditions and cultures of Enga and there is no exception to other cultures and traditions of PNG amid the 800 plus language groups that are dying away in the similar manner. Traditional dance or Mali is seen as a cultural event but its purpose and significances to host this event varies. This view is sported by Akii Tumu’s views on his book titled ‘View of The Enga Culture’ which stated that, in the past most singsings (Mali) took place to gather people to discuss upcoming
feasts or exchanges, but today they are held primarily to raise money for the public facilities, to celebrate holidays or other important events (Akii Tumu et al, 1989:47). That means Mali is losing its cultural values and significance but into commercialization with contemporary costumes which simply means imitating the authentic Mali Dance but of no substance of pride and cultural values into the Mali.

Background and Context
PNG Cultures and its Shifting Cultures and Languages 
Today in most PNG Societies seems to have the oral tradition as a historical source but the reality of the full traditional ways of life are dying away silently as we all shifting our focus to modernity and developments in the country. The concept of imparting skills and knowledge, learning and imitating of traditions and customs from the great ancestors of the tribes or clans seems not to exist these days. The children are living far away from their villages, parents and families for education or work and unable to participate in few of the cultural activities that happen in the village to learn and understand. The language seems to be one main barrier to learn as most of the people now seem to communicate with English, Pidgn and Motu. 

The chances to teach the traditional cultures and customs to the younger generation seem to be narrow leaving a gap for most of the traditions and cultures which can be helped revived and sustained. In Enga, the way of doing things which were passed down the generations to generations are at risk of bridging and living through these days when everyone’s focus is into modernity (Wiessner & Tumu, 1998:27). Thus the Enga traditional dance followed the same pattern of sharing, teaching and imparting knowledge to save and preserve the historical and traditions values, genealogies of historical narratives which became the basis of its existence but the current shift in cultures and languages will have much influence on the younger generation to lose their focus into the traditional values which need to preserve and own by virtue or lose it entirely forever. Yet the practical sides of most cultural and traditional ways of doing things in the country are diminishing as a result of shift in the tradition cultures and languages into modernity and Enga is no exception to losing its cultures and traditions which dominates the province as a monolingual society which is significant to the Melanesian cultures.

PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s View on PNG Culture from Tourism Viewpoint
The PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) identifies cultural tourism as a significant source for national tourism growth due largely to the fact that authentic cultural experiences are Papua New Guinea’s biggest selling tourism product.The UN World Tourism Organisation stated that cultural tourism accounted for 37% of global tourism and forecasts a growth rate of 15% per year. This is particularly true for Papua New Guinea as travel statistics show increased arrivals during the months of July to September as a result of cultural festivals staged in various parts of the country, especially the Mask Festival, Hagen Show, Hiri Moale and the Goroka Show.Cultural festivals, village tours and stays that are worked into travel itineraries always prove attractive for tourists and are a common feature in many successful tour operators’ packages. PNGTPA’s major challenge in cultural tourism has been aligning the modern or ‘Western’ concept of tourism as a business with the Melanesian cultural practices of shared resources and land ownership. Hence, PNGTPA works closely with tour operators, and tourism associations to help reinforce, support and preserve the local communities and their culture. Partnerships in tourism are vital for Papua New Guinea especially in the preservation of culture and the natural resources of a particular community. PNGTPA’s most successful partnership projects have been the Surf Management Plan headed by the Surfers Association of PNG (SAPNG). This project aims to ensure the village communities where surfing tourism takes place receive shared benefits through fees and implement rules that limit the number of surfers to protect the environment. 

The Perceptions, Experience and Lessons on the Research
As a passionate citizen on cultures and traditions of the country, I was always interested to learn and discover the various cultures and traditions in PNG. Reading from the books, hearing and learning from schoolmates or by visiting places have always inspired me to know a bit of different culture and
tradition but those seemed to have been only stories to me. I have intended to know in detail if those cultures do exists in its full contexts today and still being practised. Sadly, the values on cultures and traditions have changed and the contemporary cultures have dominated what used to be a way of life and authentic culture, tradition and customs. I have came to known that, throughout the verbal interviews for my research most of the youths I met could not speak any native languages from either of their parent’s side but English and Pidgn were the only languages most of them know.
Undeniably, most of the traditions and cultures are native and the ways of teaching, learning and imparting is only with native languages because some of them are scared and to understand full, one should be native and fluent with the native languages to know and understand better. It was a good lesson to discover that native languages plays pivotal role in maintaining and preserving cultures for it is the only channel to know and understand cultures, traditions and customs. Hence, the language is part of the cultures and traditions of most people in PNG and losing the language knowledge is directly loosing the tradition and cultures.

Contribution of Research Paper and Recommendations
The research contributes to the remarkable work done on the Enga culture and traditions by Aki Tumu, Alome Kyakas, Associate Professor Roderic Lacey, Polly Wiessner, SVD Missionary Philip Gibbs and few others who have done a tremendous research into the unique cultures of Enga. Their early efforts and contributions have set foundation for a lot of quality research in the field of Enga culture and traditions. Hence, my research is also a contribution to their endless efforts as they paved the way for such specific research into traditional Enga dance (Mali) to occur. This specific research on Mali contributes towards the aims to preserve the traditions and cultures of Enga initiated by some of the mentioned authors and researchers. My research was broad in nature but  other researchers in the future will have to focus into specific cultures, customs and traditions to uncover the underlying factors of its extinction and find solutions to rejuvenate and set up a concept that helps not only Enga but other dying cultures in Papua New Guinea as well.

Portrait of the writer

Link to the LinkedIn for Naith N. Lati