100 years on, Papa Kuling still going strong

By KELVIN JOE
KINDAGL Kuling does not remember his exact birth date but knows it was some time in the 1920s, easily qualifying him to be a centenarian.
Last December, as family members, friends, pastors and community leaders gathered around the man they affectionately call Papa to celebrate his 100th birthday, he reminisced about his long journey.
He remembers the start of World War Two, watching war planes flying over his Minude village in Kerowagi, Chimbu, as he and other young men helped their elders in tribal fights when not busy chasing girls.
There were no guns then – only wooden shields, spears, bows, arrows and stone axes.
Fights were over women and land between the clans in Dagle and tribes in Kerowagi, Chimbu and Danga in North Wahgi, Jiwaka as war planes flew across the Bismarck Range.
When he celebrated his birthday on December 28 at Miunde village, pastors from different denominations and community leaders joined friends and families from Jiwaka, Western Highlands and Morobe in a feast and thanksgiving service.
He was a young man when Australian explorers Michael Leah, his brother Dan and patrol officer James Taylor first made contact with his people in 1930s.
He married Guk Kaupa, 87, in the 1960s and had six children. They now have 18 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also had children from his previous marriages.
He used to follow young men during courting seasons, attended traditional feasts in neighbouring villages and dated girls.
He remembers that young men were then only allowed to get married after they had started their own gardens, built their own homes, owned pigs and domestic animals.
Wife Guk became a devoted Christian in the 1970s, joining the Evangelical Brotherhood Church 20 years later when it was established in Jiwaka on Oct 19, 1954.

She helped in establishing the church in Miunde and Ganigle villages.
Papa Kuling was a tall and tough yet passionate, humble, independent and easy going. He later became an active church member. He still does not drink beer, smoke, chew betel nut or gamble.
Everyone from his generation including his younger brothers and sisters have passed away while he still keeps himself strong and healthy – much to everyone’s amazement.
He has outlived his younger siblings and fellow tribesmen, attributing his longevity to traditional food and ways of living, though later modernised by Christian teachings.
He keeps himself healthy by cooking food over the fire using fresh water. He seldom eats meat.
He treats everybody in his family and community fairly and equally.
His advice to young people is to eat healthy food, avoid stealing from others and to be strong and healthy. And avoid causing trouble and behave appropriately in the community.
Despite his failing eyesight and inability to walk in the past two years, he can still hear and speak well.
His wife, children, grandchildren and family members are closer to him, constantly by Papa Kuling’s side. It indeed has been a long journey, with so many stories to tell and counsel to give.