By PAUL MAOLAI
The waters of Milne Bay will play host to canoes of all shapes and sizes this weekend in the Fourth National Canoe Festival.
According to Festival Committee chairman John Kaniku, the event has attracted national and international participation, with an outrigger canoe team from Hawaii to attend festivities in Alotau, the provincial capital from November 2-4.
This year there will be various canoes participating.
They include epois from Esa'ala district, which are long deep sea canoes, decked and non decked sailaus, kukakukas, long canoes with rectangular sails from Rabaraba, lopos single hull war canoes found only in the Huhu Alotau Bay, palais used around the bay area, keaugas which are traditional rafts used for fishing and funerals and outrigger canoes.
Mr Kaniku said Milne Bay is blessed with a variety of canoes and this years festival will see almost 1600 people participating.
He said a number of visitors from other parts of the country and overseas had come to witness the festival.
Mr Kaniku was pleased to note that a number of Milne Bay people living in other parts of PNG had sent their children to Alotau to attend the festival and learn and appreciate their culture and traditions.
The Gogodalas from Western province who have featured prominently in last two festivals with their colourful long war canoes will not be attending this year.
There will be 50 participants from Mailu coming with their puapua canoes. These are large double hull canoes with rectangular sails.
The four Hawaiians will be accompanied by two PNG youngsters Kila Mala and Ronnie Hae from the Port Moresby Canoeing Club.
The Hawaiians are the first international team to participate in this event.
So far 16 canoe associations have arrived on the outskirts of Alotau town at Bubuleta ready to sail into Alotau habour today before the opening ceremony.
The Panaeati people from Misima Island with 14 canoes, the Esa'ala people with seven canoes, Duau people with 10 canoes, the Suaus with 18 canoes and Huhu area people with their war canoes.
Meanwhile Mr. Kaniku said on shore activities have also been improved from previous festivals. There will be singing and launching of the epoi and food stalls with traditional dishes, artifact exhibitions and sales.
On the final day there will an exchange of pigs and food between various associations.
He said food exchange highlights the Milne Bay custom of hospitality and looking after visitors.
"The people shake their heads, not hands which was introduced by the missionaries, and exchange food and pigs to say thank you to their visitors," he said.
While the Government has lagged in their financial support towards the festival Mr. Kaniku is confident that sponsors from the business sector will contribute funds to ensure the festival is a success.
He said with overseas visitors flocking in to the province it would be good for the government and business sector to contribute towards the festival.
Mr. Kaniku said the committee will need over K200,000 to run the festival effectively.


 

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