Simundo villagers on the upper reaches of the Keram River - a tributary of the mighty Sepik River - are reviving an age old traditional marriage ritual to attract tourists to their area. COLIN TAIMBARI writes.

Tucked away on either side of the banks on the upper reaches of the Keram River, a tributary of the mighty Sepik River, is Simando village.
For the locals nothing much has changed over the years. For the most part, the river is their source of life. It provides them drinking water, food and access to the outside world. For generations their customs and traditions, myths and legends have been built around this important source - the Keram River.
Today, they have also become mere observers watching banana boats and motorized dugout canoes loaded with cargo headed further up the river where there are reports of a "gold rush" of sorts with alluvial miners seeking to make a fortune by panning for gold at the base of far away mountains where the Keram River begins its journey. Like many remote areas of Papua New Guinea, their problems are further impounded by the lack of basic government services.
Angoram, the district headquarters is some two hours by banana boat down river and onto the Sepik River but then again, one has to complete the three hour journey by road to Wewak if you really need better goods and services.
But all it seems is not lost for the people of Simando, when all else has failed to fuel any economic activities in their area, they are now leaning towards tourism as a vehicle to at least bring some form of development to their area. In so doing, they have turned to their age old cultures and traditions as a lure for tourists to visit their area.
Local village councilor Adam Wangi first dreamt the idea of hosting a mini-cultural show four years ago but the show has never really taken off. The villagers never really give up hope though and recently met up with local Sepik River tourism operator Alois Mateos. Mateos who runs mostly river tours up the Sepik in Ambunti offered to help market the show for Wangi and his people. For Wangi and his people, Mateos was a God sent - the answer to their prayers.
"We struggled for the last three years to promote our show but since we've established contact with Alois, we are now confident we can bring tourists to our village," said Wangi.
Given his vast experience is hosting tourists, Mateos realized that in order to attract tourists all the way to Simando, there had to be a "pull factor" some special attraction that was unique to that area only.
Mateos said: "The Sepik region and its arts and artifacts are already a major attraction but for tourists to make that extra mile to Simando, we had to come up with something special." So following hours of planning and brainstorming, the idea of reviving an age old sacred and traditional marriage ceremony was given birth to as the main attraction of the Keram mini-cultural show.
So after many years of absence, the first traditional marriage ceremony of the Keram people was re-enacted at the 4th Keram mini-cultural show in June this year. Mateos was invited as the official guest with me representing the TPA - our aim was to assess whether with the inclusion of the traditional marriage ceremony, the show had the potential to lure curious tourists from far away lands.
There is an air on anticipation on the morning of the show as villagers rise early for the big day ahead. Several traditional dance groups from nearby villages have arrived the night before so the show is looking good already. However, it's in the middle of the campaign period and the roar of helicopter engines ring above the tops of the sago palms as local MP Arthur Somare makes a quick stop to witness a bit of the show while commending Wangi and his committee for organizing the show. The marriage ceremony is brought forward slightly for the sake of the Member and begins with the procession of Canoes loaded traditionally dressed clans men and women of the bride delivering him to the main arena for the exchange of vows with the groom. Certain rituals are performed along the way as the bride makes his way to the ceremonial ground. The groom is kept hidden from the public eye in an enclosed section at one end of the ground until bridge is given the all clear the cross an imaginary line and call her out for marriage. All the while, the singing and dancing and chants continue. The groom finally emerges from her hamlet and is taken to the centre of the arena where traditional marriage vows are exchanged under the watchful eyes of an elderly woman dressed and painted for the part with a very old looking bilum hanging loosely from her head. Following the exchange of vows, the bride then takes the groom and exits the arena. Mateos, a strong believer of maintaining old customs and traditions, is impressed with what he has witnessed. "We must always strive to maintain our traditions and cultures," he tells the crowd, "Not only for tourists but for our future generations. We may be wearing the white man's clothes but it's what underneath that's important to us and we can only maintain our identity by maintaining our traditional customs."
Mateos says if marketed properly, we could not only have tourists but make also it a popular attraction local residents of Angoram and Wewak, particularly school children. The traditional marriage ceremony and the Keram mini-cultural show are now slated for June 8, 2008. Mateos says the Keram show is being sold as a whole package which will compliment the Wapi Sagi or traditional yam ceremony in Maprik on June 9 and ending with the now popular Sepik Iron Man in Wewak on June 2008. "The tourist or visitor here will get to have a fulfilling experience covering all the events in the one weekend," said Mateos. At last the people of Simando have something to look forward to now.
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