raonraonpng: A Revisit to Hanza Bay, Bogia (Madang Province) on Tourism Product Scoping Mission

Monday, October 29, 2018

A Revisit to Hanza Bay, Bogia (Madang Province) on Tourism Product Scoping Mission

I visited, Bogia's Hanza Bay nearly Seven (7) years ago when I was working for World Vision. I did not know of the cultural and historical significance the area holds, until the locals invited me for a Tourism Product Scoping as part of my work with PNG Tourism Promotion Authority

While working with World Vision on Community Projects, we delivered the community oriented projects from WASH to Literacy and Healthcare. Little did I know of was the historical significance the areas holds for tourism. The early European explorers and traders settlement in the area with the establishment of coca and copra plantations which later turned into battle field and Japanese strategic location on the north coast.

This time I was on a mission for Tourism Product Scoping but was unable to complete the full mission due to severe fever relating to Malaria which caused me to retreat back to Madang and then onward to Port Moresby.

The Hanza Bay in particular holds much of the the WWII relics which are now part of their cultural heritage within some unique cultures and traditions of unexplored Bogia.

The tourism integration is just a trigger into many countless options and opportunities the people are looking forward to harness with the support of a local and community-based NGO.

I was invited to scope the area for tourism product development and had the opportunity to visit many of the sites they have identified for tourism interests.

Cultures are unique to the people of Hanza Bay and the Tumbuan Mask is one of those sacred cultures and it takes three (3) months for the families or tribe to prepare the mask for celebration and cultural show staging. Locally, the event usually hosted when the gardens, food and houses are all ready to celebrate with feast and showcase in the festival like event.

The Tumbuan Mask culture is not merely practiced and displayed like other cultural and traditional shows but it has got its own rules and sacred traditions which the Tumbuan Mask custodian has to comply and follow in order for safe keeping and put out the mask into show during a cultural parade.

These times the Tumbuan Mask culture is slowly fading due to many people in the village have migrated into the cities and towns for job, education and better life but few people in the village still value the cultures and traditions relating to Tumbuan Mask.

Maintaining and safekeeping their culture helps them shaped their life and plays some significant roles to be a good citizen in the community. They know the value that the Tumbuan Mask culture holds and its importance in their lives.

Jeffery Nambia, in his mid 60s is one of the Tumbuan mask keepers of Numbia village and he was willing to continue from where his parents have left because he says; he has seen great things in life out of the Tumbuan Mask culture and tradition. 'There is discipline, unity, order and respect in the community if you value Tumbuan Mask and participate or keep it', said Jeffry when I approached him at his house where he used to keep one of the tribe's Tumbuan Mask.

The last participation and showcasing of Tumbuan Mask dates back to 2012 when there was a bridge being commissioned and opened by the local Member of Parliament in Bogia area.

Now they are looking forward to host a specific festival within the Hanza Bay of Bogia to showcase the Tumbuan Mask and other cultures and traditions that are well kept by the people. They have the bamboo music similar to didgeridoo, fighting swords made of coconuts, stone axes seems to be from meteoroids comes down with striking lights and many others mystic cultures and stories.

The community of Numbia have been performing in other events in Madang and Highlands which were highlights of the events and they have won several prizes out of their performances.

The communities are willingly planning for varieties of products to showcase while cultural event will be the major event that will attract tourists to Hanza Bay.

The intention for the people of Hanza Bay is to have tourism products that are tourism friendly (soft adventure) so that tourists will have much more time to see what is within the Hanza Bay area (both sea and land).

The curiosity can form a different view when you hear from other people, the perception can deceive you when you read but when you visit and see it for yourself to experience, it is totally different from the curiosity and perception.

The Hanza Bay has an array of existing plantations like Numbia which dates back to 1900s with German administration and management. Most of the coconuts still survives to this days which is unbelievable but only radiocarbon dating and other scientific tests can prove your own doubts.