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History of publishing
in PNG
Papua New Guinea has a rich history of book publishing. Its
first publishers were missionaries, who sought to translate
scriptures and hymns into indigenous languages in order to
persuade people to believe in Christianity. In part two of this
series LINDA CROWL* discusses other publishing agencies
Other publishing agencies have included the National Research
Institute (NRI, formerly the New Guinea Research Unit and the
Institute of Applied Social and Economic Research); institutes
of Medical Research, National Affairs, and Papua New Guinea
Studies (IPNGS); Law Reform, National Broadcasting, and National
Cultural commissions; National Executive Council, National
Museum and Art Gallery, Village Courts Secretariat, and Village
Development Office.
NRI and its previous incarnations produced titles on demography,
economics, history, justice, labour, literacy, nutrition,
politics, religion, and rituals about traditional and
contemporary societies.
IPNGS published agriculture, drama, folklore, grammar and
vocabulary, history, music, and novels. IPNGS also released
cassettes and disks of recorded music from around the country,
including traditional and pop songs, as well as books on games,
instruments, knotted cords, and local knowledge that accompany
music.
The Law Reform Commission addressed native regulations,
customary law, land and resource policy, domestic violence, and
murder.
The National Museum produced titles on archaeology, customs,
pottery, and traditional knowledge and technology.
Policy and institutions in Papua New Guinea often followed those
elsewhere, eg the Literature Bureau and IPNGS's Kovave were
modelled after similar ventures in Africa.
The Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea had
literature promotion activities, and tertiary institutions have
contributed significantly to PNG literature.
The University of Papua New Guinea has been publishing since the
1970s. It has produced popular books as well as scholarly works.
Angela Phillip reported that to make books available and
enjoyable, UPNG's Extension Studies started a Book Programme to
send tutors with boxes of books into classrooms each week.
UPNG's Library and Information Studies Department helped to
process the books for circulation and F.T. Wimble Company
donated cardboard boxes to transport the books; thus,
cooperative effort by teachers, administrators, librarians, and
business people set the programme in motion (1992).
UPNG's Department of Language and Literature and Centre for
Melanesian and Pacific Studies currently publish literary works
as well as a journal, Savannah Flames. Divine Word University
has published books about the Aitape tsunami, biography, media
freedom, and mission history. Publications have come also from
the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration, Pacific
Adventist University, Papua New Guinea University of Technology
(UNITECH), and the universities of Goroka and Vudal.
Non-profit organizations have acted as centres for
communication, advice, curricula, and training for community
development. They often share information via print, audio,
video, and CD. They sometimes provide services in translation,
illustration, editing, graphic design, and publishing.
These diverse organizations address grass-roots development,
human rights, citizenship education, and health, among other
needs. Some of these organizations are the Appropriate
Technology and Development Institute (previously the Liklik Buk
Information Centre), East Sepik Rural Development Project, HELP
Resources, Girl Guides Association, Melanesian Environment
Foundation, Integral Human Development Trust, South Pacific
Appropriate Technology Foundation, and Wau Ecology Institute.
Many of them have libraries, where individuals and groups may
access information.
Some distribute their publications free of charge to interested
parties. Such non-profit organizations as Rotary, Save the
Children Fund, Soroptimists, and YWCA have contributed to Book
and Literacy weeks.
Individuals and groups dedicated to the arts and culture often
publish using personal funds so that others might enjoy, learn
from, and contribute to, artistic and literary development.
Local presses (and key individuals) have included Anuki Country
Press (Russell Soaba), Niugini Press (Ulli Beier), Papua Pocket
Poets (Ulli Beier and Prithvindra Chakravarti), Owl Books, and
Yumi Press (Glenys Kohnke). Volunteerism and small donations can
sustain publishing operations.
Businesses, eg Bougainville Copper Pty Ltd, IMPS Research, and
the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, have sometimes published
manuals, training materials, and informational guides.
Businesses, eg Chevron, Ok Tedi, and Agquip have contributed to
books published by others, eg the National Museum, churches of
Western Province, and Liklik Buk Information Centre
respectively. Businesses, eg Chevron, Oregon Minerals, Gordon &
Gotch, and the Post Courier, have contributed to Book and
Literacy weeks. A few commercial publishers have set up offices
in Port Moresby, eg Robert Brown and Associates, Jacaranda
Press, Oxford University Press, and Pacific Star Publications.
Regional and international agencies have considerably boosted
publishing within Papua New Guinea by acting as co-publishers or
by donating funds or expertise, eg the International Labour
Organization with start-your-own-business manuals, the United
Nations Development and Environment programmes, the World Health
Organization with books about malaria and fitness, and the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with family rights
explanations. International agency offices, such as that of the
United Nations Educational, Social, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), often have libraries or resource rooms for use by the
general public.
Next week: Difficulties of publishing in Papua New Guinea.
* Linda Crowl is finishing her
PhD dissertation on book publishing in the Pacific Islands, with
the supervision of Professor Edward Wolfers and Dr Charles
Hawksley at the University of Wollongong. She has recently
published papers on women's writing and publishing and on
publishing possibilities for literacy.
 
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