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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