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Bilasim skin
festival
BY ZACHERY PER
Children growing
amidst rapid changes and globalization seem to be losing touch
with their cultural heritage says National Performing Arts
Troupe (NPAT) Director John Doa.
The NPAT is an agency of the National Cultural Commission (NCC).
Mr. Doa said this in light of the forthcoming annual National
Bilasim Skin Festivalto be held in Goroka, Eastern Highlands
province next month.
The Festival is among other events organized by the NCC in a bid
to educate children and youth about their traditional and
cultural heritage.
Mr Doa said nowadays children, especially in towns and cities
are raised in very modernized environments.
While this can not be helped it is important that they are
constantly reminded of their traditional heritage so they
understand and appreciate where they come from.
Mr. Doa said by the same token children and youth in rural and
traditional societies feel they are left behind because they
lack modern skills and understanding of changing technology.
This creates a widening gap the fortunate and less fortunate, he
said.
The NCC through its regional and provincial festivals and shows
tries to present both cultural and modern aspects of life.
They try to strike a balance for PNG children to achieve full
integral human development as enshrined in the Constitution.
Their events aim to teach modern and traditional values of life.
Some of these annual events include the Mask Festival (East New
Britain), Art and Craft Festival (Port Moresby), Canoe Festival
(Milne Bay), Mambu and Garamut Festival (East Sepik) and
National Bilasim Skin Festival (Goroka Highlands).
The National Bilasim Skin Festival was initiated in 2005 for the
Highlands region. The event involves the decorating of people,
especially young children in traditional finery.
Mr Doa said the week-long event is held at NPAT theatre formerly
RaunRaun Theatre in Goroka in the second week of September prior
to the annual Goroka show.
The third annual National Bilasim Skin Festival would be held
from September 7-13 this year. The festival will focus at
education, identity, health and business.
Mr Doa said they use the event to teach children about changes
that have affected, is affecting and will affect their lives,
with full view of past, present events and focus at what the
future holds for them He said they want to prepare youths to
adapt well to changes and achieve sustainable living.
"Today's changes are challenges for us to face as we move into
the future, we want to provide avenue for young children to
learn skills and knowledge parents and the school curriculum
could not offer," he said.
This years event will include the erection of (hausman) men's
house and hausmeri (women's house) which are common in the
traditional Highlands communities.
"From 7pm - 9pm nightly invited guest speakers from different
highlands ethnic groups will teach children about the fading
highlands culture," Mr Doa said.
He said from 9pm till 6am the next morning, different
traditional singsing groups from the highlands region will be
singing in the room next door creating an atmosphere of
traditional sounds for the children.
The boy's house will be located at the NPAT (formerly RaunRaun
Theatre) residence while the girl's house will be at Kami
village on the Southern fringe of Goroka town.
"During the daytime speakers from various organizations will
speak to the children of developmental issues affecting their
lives today and likely consequences in future," Mr Doa said.
Mr Doa wants to see people in the highlands adopt the hausman
and hausmeri because they are part of the traditional lifestyles
to give young children an identity and dignity.
For this years festival a speaker from the PNG Institute of
Medical Research Institute (PNGIMR) and Private Medical
Practitioner Dr Ken Boone would discuss HIV/AIDS issues for the
children.
The Melanesian Institute will emphasis issues on cultural issues
and a doctor from the Goroka Base Hospital will talk about drug
abuses and consequences.
Local Businessmen, Norman Carver and John Bagahery would talk on
how to start a business and become successful while local
community leaders would talk to the children on cultural
aspects.
Reverend Jack Urame a well respected researcher with the
Melanesian Institute in Goroka described the festival as very
educational.
"I left my village and I am now living in Goroka, I try my best
to pass traditional values to my children but I'm not sure
whether my children are convinced or not because the environment
here is not the same as in my village," Rev Urame said.
The cost of a child to participate is K50, parents will be
allowed to slaughter a pig at the end of the programme and
decorate their child in traditional dresses and organize a group
of traditional dancers to welcome the child out of the houseman
or hausmeri.
Those interested could contact Mr Doa on telephone 732 1116/115,
facsimile 732 2492 or email npat@global.net.pg
 
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